Sunday Messenger
July 5, 2026

Barekendan of the Fast of the Transfiguration      

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

Matthew 14:13-21 Hearing of his cousin John’s execution, Jesus withdraws in solitude but becomes immediately compassionate towards the crowds that follow him. He heals the sick and when the disciples tell him it is late and the people must be sent away to find food, he asks them to feed the crowd themselves. With just two fish and five loaves of bread, Jesus feeds more than 5,000, giving thanks and breaking the bread in a moment that foreshadows the Last Supper. The twelve baskets of leftovers point to the Messianic banquet in the final coming of the Kingdom. Discuss/reflect: Prayerfully read and then retell in your own words the miracle recounted in today’s Gospel reading. What does this story tell you about Jesus’ power in our lives?

Romans 11:13-24 St. Paul addresses the Gentiles whom he has helped bring to Christ, admitting that he had hoped to prompt envy in the Jews that they might also follow Jesus. Gentiles who count themselves among the faithful must remember that they have been grafted on to an ancient tree (Judaic roots) from which unbelievers have been trimmed. Rather than be arrogant, these new believers should realize that they can just as easily be cut from the tree because of unbelief. Discuss/reflect: Paul warns believers against thinking they have a better, stronger faith than others. Do churches and individuals exhibit this judgmental behavior today?

Isaiah 3:1-11 Isaiah continues to convey God’s displeasure with the prideful people of Judah and Jerusalem; He warns of disorder and even chaos because “their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying His glorious presence…” (v 8) Discuss/reflect: What things make up Judah’s “supply and support” that the Lord is taking away? (3:1) What people, what things bolster your life? Do any of them keep you from God?

Today is the Paregentan of the Fast of Transfiguration

The church prepares to celebrate one of the five major feasts next Sunday, July 7, with a week of fasting preceded by a “paregentan” or day of celebration (lit: ‘good-living’). Fasting before a major feast is a lost practice for most Christians. How unfortunate since this signifies that the feast itself has lost both its historic and timeless impact on our lives. With prayer and other spiritual disciplines, fasting is a way of getting the entire body and soul ready for an important church event. Paregentan days precede fasts throughout the church year; the greatest season of fasting – Great Lent – is launched by the greatest Paregentan: “Poon Paregentan.” Reflection: In preparation for the Feast of the Transfiguration prayerfully read about it as recounted in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36. What unique detail appears in Luke 9:28-29 (compare with opening verses in the other Gospels)? What might this tell us about prayer?

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.

Altar flowers are placed in loving memory of Lori Lucy Aghazarian by her mother Lucy and her brother Aram Alan on the 4^th anniversary of Lori Lucy’s passing.

Requiem Services – We Honor And Pray For These Souls

Karasoonk today will be for

Lusintak Arargil on the 40^th day of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by her family.

Agape Hour — Unfortunately there will not be an Agape Hour this week. Please enjoy the weekend and be very careful with the extreme heat. Take a moment to check on elderly relatives and neighbors to ensure they are safe and comfortable.

Holy Badarak – Over the summer is a wonderful time to learn and familiarize yourself with the Badarak. If your children sing in the school choir, please encourage them to come sing in our church choir to continue developing their voice on Sundays during the summer. It’s ok if they don’t know many of the sharagans, they will learn. And if they can read music, they will be fine. Our senior choir members are here to help. We look forward to seeing your children upstairs with us!

200 Club News – The June 2026 drawing (the 8^th & final for 2025-26 season) of the “200 Club Raffle” was completed on 6/21/2026. Congratulations to the following winners!!

$1000 Liz Barone  #005
$400  Janice Owens  #034
$200  George & Anne Terkanian  #152
$200  Mike Tookmanian  #089
$200  Todd Pica  #148

The 2026-27 Tickets will be mailed out starting August 3rd. All 200 Club Winners can be viewed on the HTAC Website by clicking on “Men’s Club” for details.

FAR! This week, Fund for Armenian Relief celebrated the grand opening of the Ayo!-funded therapeutic garden for young visitors at the Yerevan Botanical Garden. Among the first little guests were children and youth from FAR’s Child Protection Center.

The project began two years ago with the launch of Put Down Roots, an Ayo! initiative to create a welcoming outdoor space where children displaced from Artsakh, children with special needs, and families can explore nature, learn about ecology and botany, and experience the therapeutic benefits of gardening.

Made possible through the generosity of nearly 200 Armenia and America-based donors, the garden was funded in part by proceeds from three 5K races: the Green Charity Run, held in the Botanical Garden in partnership with Yerevan Marathon Foundation, and two Bishop’s 5K races in Detroit and Boston organized in partnership with ACYOA.

Learn more about the project and peruse before and after photos of the garden space here (and don’t forget to visit next time you’re in Yerevan): https://www.weareayo.org/past-projects/put-down-roots/6702e976-56bf-4ac8-b1b9-4c8066f7e18f

Calling all beach lovers! Join us this summer at the water’s edge for a great “beach read.” Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY will guide us on a three-session ZOOM based on an inspiring little book called Breakfast on the Beach: Finding God at the Water’s Edge.  Even though we won’t actually be having breakfast at the beach, we promise you a different kind of fulfilling experience at the water’s edge. We will explore a new way to reflect on the sea, the sand, the sky, the shells and more. It is there we hope to encounter Christ. Participants can purchase the book at our bookstore for a discounted price of $5. Please note that only those who register for the program qualify for the reduced price (copies are limited). Join us, via Zoom, on the following Wednesday evenings: July 22, 29 and August 12. You can register at the bookstore or send an email to nancybasmajian@verizon.net.(07/19)

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Barekendan of the Fast of The Transfiguration
Jul 12         Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord
Jul 12         Vartavar Celebration
Jul 12         90^th Birthday Celebration in Honor of Merle Santerian
Jul 22         Breakfast on the Beach–Zoom Part 1
Jul 29         Breakfast on the Beach–Zoom Part 2
Aug 12        Breakfast on the Beach–Zoom Part 3
Aug 16        Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-Of-God (Blessing of the Grapes)
Sep 07         Labor Day – Church Office Closed
Sep 13         Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sep 21         Armenian Independence Day
Sep 27         Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak
Oct 24-25    Annual Harvest Bazaar