THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 15, 2025

Remembrance of the Prophet Elijah

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

1 Kings 18:29-46 Elijah’s prayer to God brings rain after a long drought, whereas the prayers of Baal’s prophets prove futile. This ‘contest’ is spectacular: 850 pagan prophets against the one prophet Elijah of the one God Yahweh. Discuss/reflect: Where is the one true God competing with the false gods in your life?

2 Kings 2:1-15 The prophet Elijah continues to remind his protégé Elisha that God would soon be taking his master from him. When Elijah is taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot, he drops his cloak to the ground. Elisha picks it up, taps the nearby Jordan river with it, and the water parts for him. God’s spirit had descended now upon Elijah’s pupil. Discuss/reflect: Have you ever had the mantle of leadership passed on to you? What quality of your mentor did you value most?

James 5:16-20 In these concluding verses of James’ epistle, he advises his listeners to confess to and pray for each other, as the “prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” He cites Elijah as a man whose prayers were indeed effective. Discuss/reflect: Have you ever helped someone make a better, more God-pleasing decision?  Consider the far-reaching consequences!

Luke 4: 25-30 Jesus is in a synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. To the congregation’s amazement, he famously dF@ith2023eclares that no prophet is accepted in his hometown. He cites the examples of the prophets Elijah and Elisha whose healings were more readily accepted by non-Jews. So angered by this, the people drive him to the edge of a cliff to throw him down; but Jesus manages to leave them peacefully. Discuss/reflect: Perhaps we have more in common with this congregation of two thousand years ago than we think. Is there anything about what Jesus teaches that makes you so uncomfortable you would rather drive him out of your life?

Today is the Remembrance of the Prophet Elijah
Tomorrow, St. Hripsime and her companions
St. Hripsime and the community of nuns traveling with her (led by St. Gayane) are the unsung heroines of the Christianization of Armenia. Fleeing persecution from the Emperor Diocletian in the late 3^rd century AD, they escaped to Armenia and settled in Vagharshapat. King Drtad himself then pursued the beautiful Hripsime only to be rebuffed by the devout young woman. The 5^th century historian Agathangelos recorded her story along with St. Gregory’s, vividly describing the physical battle between her and the king. In his new book, Women Too Were Blessed: The Portrayal of Women in Early Armenian Christian Texts, scholar David Zakarian speaks of the fight as significant on two levels: Christian virtue and faith overpowering paganism and a powerless young woman physically defeating a tyrannical king. In the renowned icon (a copy of which adorns a side altar in the St. Nersess Seminary chapel), Hripsime is depicted as triumphant and glorified. What one rarely notices is how she tramples upon the head of King Drtad who brandishes a useless sword. One of the first things St. Gregory did was build shrines over the relics of the fallen Hripsime and Gayane and their fellow nuns. Two churches in their names stand near Holy Etchmiadzin to this day. Reflection: Pray for these beloved saints, grateful for the heroic martyrdom that inspired a nation’s faith.

The Kiss of Peace – After the gifts of the Eucharist are brought to the Altar Table, the deacon proclaims, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”  The person giving the greetings says, Kristos ee mech mer Haydnetsav – Christ is revealed amongst us.  The recipient would respond, Orhnial eh Haydnootiunun Kristosee – Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

The Nicene Creed/ Havadamk – This is the Profession of our Faith which is recited every Sunday moments after the Gospel is read from the altar. Sometimes it is sung, but more often it is recited by the Deacons and/or the Choir.  We invite you to affirm your own “Profession of Faith” by reciting along with us.  God longs for all of us to express our faith and devotion to Him.

Agape Hour: We’re updating the name of our Fellowship/Coffee Hour! From now on, you’ll see it listed as Agape Hour — a beautiful expression of love, community, and togetherness. Same warm gathering, just with a new name that reflects our spirit more deeply.

Men’s Club News – The June 2025 drawing (final for 2024-25 season) of the “200 Club Raffle” was completed on 6/8/2025.

$1,000         Cece Garibian                           #019
$400            Kim & Gena Willard                   #065
$200            Alex (Diran) Alexanian               #013
$200            Hank & Brenda LeCompte          #052
$200            Christine Sadjian-Peacock          #026

All winners can also be viewed on the HTAC Website by clicking on “Men’s Club” for details.
Note: Everyone is eligible to purchase a ticket for the upcoming 2025-26 season of this annual raffle, which benefits our wonderful church.  Starting in early August, the new tickets will be mailed out and/or available for purchase. Thank you!

Attention Graduates! Looking for graduates (of all levels) to be included in upcoming digital church bulletins. We invite you to submit your own details for inclusion. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement (church or school), and future plans (further education/work/other). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if possible. Everything should be sent to office@holytrinity-pa.org by July 15, 2025.

Church Membership – Our spiritual church is thriving and our children are smiling, but have you thought about becoming a member if you are not one already?  Membership is the key to the success of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church.  When you become a member of the church, you strengthen the foundation of Holy Trinity, allowing it to become stronger and more successful.  You have the opportunity to vote in the parish assembly, join various committees and organizations and to help forge the path of Holy Trinity.

If you wish to become a member, please go to https://holytrinity-pa.org/donation/ and select the appropriate membership for 2025.

UPDATE – HYE Power 2025 – Trinity Cup – A Day of fellowship, food and fierce fun featuring volleyball, soccer and kickball. This is family fun for all ages on June 22^nd at 3:00pm. $15 entry fee (proceeds to go towards future events) and free parking right here at Holy Trinity Armenian Church. Questions or want to get involved? – Call or text Scott Santerian at (267) 567-2454.

Lost & Found – We, once again, have a collection of unclaimed jackets, coats and sweaters. Please check the coat rack near the main restrooms for missing items. If these items are not claimed today, they will be donated to local shelters.

Seeking Part-time Organists – The Choir of Holy Trinity continues to seek multiple talented musicians who would be seriously interested in playing the organ for the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy (Badarak) on a rotating schedule. Organ lessons will be provided for the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For more information, please contact Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Father’s Day

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

And the depth of a family need.

Then God combined these qualities.

As there was nothing more to add,

He knew that His masterpiece was complete.

He called it Dad.

Ladies of Holy Trinity
June Events

 June 22nd @ 10:30am – Gata Baking Class – In the Church Hall Kitchen! (Badarak can be heard on our Kitchen sound system).  Learn how to make Gata while helping us bake over 100 cookies for the Women’s Guild Luncheon in NYC honoring the visit of the Patriarch of Constantinople. RSVP to WG@HolyTrinity-pa.org by June 20^th to let us know if you can help!

June 24^th @ 12:00pm – Trip to St. Vartan Cathedral NYC for Diocesan Women’s Guild Luncheon – Traveling to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral Guild Hall NYC
Help us represent Holy Trinity as we join our Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan and the Women’s Guilds of the Eastern Diocese in welcoming and honoring the Patriarch of Constantinople, His Beatitude Sahak II Mashalian, at St Vartan Armenian Cathedral Guild Hall. We will be bringing our Gata cookies for dessert! Transportation is by train or carpool. RSVP BY June 15^th to WG@HolyTrinity-pa.org and let us know if you plan to attend. We will let you know who else is attending to help make travel arrangements

Jun 22        HYE Power Trinity Cup
Jul 04         Independence Day
Jul 27         Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord