THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 24, 2025

Second Sunday after Assumption

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Luke 1:39-56 Upon hearing from the angel Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant, Mary hastens to visit her. At the sound of Mary’s voice, Elizabeth’s baby, who will be John the Baptist, “leaps in her womb” and Elizabeth herself is filled with the Holy Spirit and calls out in the surprise and overwhelming emotion of the moment: “Blessed are you and the child you will bear!!” Mary then joyfully sings a song celebrating God’s mercy, His exalting of the lowly, and His overturning of human pride. Discuss/reflect: What quality of Mary’s faith is described in verse 45? Perhaps this is the most important characteristic of an apostle, the very one that was the basis for God’s calling Mary and the Twelve.  Do you share in this quality?

Zechariah 2:10-13 Preaching after the Jews’ return from their exile in Babylon (he himself was born in that exile), Zechariah is an apocalyptic visionary, and his ministry hastened the rebuilding of the Temple. In these verses, he shares the Lord’s promise to dwell again among them, uniting land and people in holiness. Discuss/reflect: “Shout and be glad,” the Lord proclaims (v.10) as He declares His return. In v.13, Zechariah asks us to “be still!” before God. Do both of these responses to His presence make sense to you? When and where do they figure in your life?

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 St. Paul quotes directly from the Old Testament laws of purification (Leviticus 26:12) and the prophets (Isaiah 52:11, Jeremiah 32:38, Ezekiel 37:27) in advising the faithful of Corinth: Since God has promised his return to dwell among us in a covenant of love and belonging, we need to purify ourselves in preparation for that day. Discuss/reflect: What does it mean to you that you are the dwelling place of God, a temple of the living God (v.16)? How might this impact your behavior?

Tuesday, August 26, is the Feast of Sts. Joachim & Anna
Never mentioned by name in the Gospels, Mary’s parents’ story comes to us chiefly from an apocryphal gospel, the Infancy Gospel of James, written c. 145 AD. According to James, Joachim and Anna were a righteous and wealthy couple who were childless. The beautifully told account of their ordeal of rites and prayers to gain God’s favor and, finally, their daughter Mary, is one of passionate faith and touching human emotion. The couple promise her to the Temple out of gratitude and turn her childhood bedroom into a “sanctuary” (Infancy Gospel of James 6:4) keeping her food, drink and habits faithful to ancient tradition.  When Joachim advises they take her to the Temple when she is two, Anna convinces him (he promptly agrees) to wait a year so that they may be with her that much longer and their sweet girl not miss her parents. Theirs is a tender story, driven by love for and faith in God.

Reflection: Consider these two humbly faithful saints; pray for the difficult task of parents across the globe.

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 greeting 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.

Requiem Services: Hokehankisd today is for Armen Mirakian on the fifth anniversary of his eternal rest and Theodora Crist Mirakian on the fourth anniversary of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by David & Marta Brann along with the family and friends who loved Armen and Theodora.

Altar Flowers are sponsored and donated today in loving memory of Armen Mirakian and Theodora Crist Mirakian by Marta & David Brann.

Agape Hour – There will not be a fellowship this week. Please use the extra time to spend with family or do something nice for a stranger.

Correction To Grape Blessing Memorial List – I apologize for the omission of a name in the Grape Blessing List. The list should have also included In memory of Charles Knott by Virginia Knott. I ask that the family please accept my sincere apology for the omission and to please charge it to my head and not my heart.

Additional Grape Blessing Received – In Memory of Stella Martirosyan by Arthur Williams and Anna Arustamyan.

Discover the Beauty of the Armenian Language! – Learn Eastern Armenian with Mariam, a native speaker, through engaging and personalized classes that focus on the alphabet, vocabulary, cultural insights, and practical communication. Sign up now and start your Armenian language journey with Mariam! For more information, please contact Mariam via Email at marpoghosyan17@gmail.com or call her at 445-256-3966.

Church School Highlights

• 9/14 Welcome Back Registration and First classes! Also, Students will participate in the procession of basil during the Exaltation of the Cross service and enjoy Pizza and ice cream afterwards to celebrate our return to Church school!
• 9/21 Students make Monti with Mrs. Torcomian! (And a fire drill)
• 9/28 Students attend the Primate’s sermon!
• 10/5 First Communion Sunday and Commitment Service Der Hayr sermon to Parents!

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~~~~~~~~~~

Second Sunday After Assumption

Sep 01         Labor Day – Church Office Closed
Sep 14         Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sep 14         Church School Resumes
Sep 18         Zoom Book Club
Sep 21         Armenian Independence Day
Sep 28         Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
Oct 25-26     Annual Harvest Bazaar