Sunday Messenger
October 25, 2026

Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings:

Matthew 24:27-36 Although no one but the Father knows the exact day or hour, Jesus speaks of His return as unmistakable, as clear as the fig tree’s transformation when summer draws near. He will appear in the sky with power and great glory and will send His angels with a loud trumpet blast to gather the elect from the four corners of the world. Discuss/reflect: What does it mean, practically, to be ready for Jesus’ return if we do not know when that will be? If it were tomorrow, are you ready to eagerly present yourself to Him, or hang back in embarrassment?

I Corinthians 1:18-24 St. Paul talks about the different reactions to the message of the cross. Some believed it to be foolish; others believed it to be offensive; it was a stumbling block to those who sought a sign of worldly power and wisdom. God’s foolishness and weakness are wiser and stronger than anything non-believers could readily understand! Discuss/reflect: Where do you derive the wisdom and strength to be happy? Pray for God’s wisdom that you might understand the true, life-transforming message of the cross.

Isaiah 33:22-34:1 Isaiah encourages God’s people to place their trust in Him. As in today’s reading from Wisdom, we encounter images of a ship in disarray. Discuss/reflect: With what four roles is Jesus (Lord) identified in verse 22? (Judge, lawgiver, king, savior). How can each guide your behavior?

Wis.14:1-8 On the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross as well as the earlier Feast of the Exaltation, this reading (which can only be found in the Armenian Bible or a Bible that includes the Deuterocanonical books) offers an image of a floundering ship and the raft that brings people to safety. “The people trust their lives to the smallest piece of wood …for blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes…” (14:5-7) – a reference for Christians to the Cross of Christ and the true path to salvation (as opposed to wooden idols).  Discuss/reflect: Do you trust your life to God’s sovereignty? If not, what idols are your gods?

Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
In the 4^th century, the Emperor Constantine sent his mother Queen Helena to find the actual cross upon which Christ was crucified. She found the site (c.326), but three crosses were there. To authenticate the true cross of Christ, the body of a young man who had recently died was placed on each cross. The Holy Cross of Christ was ‘discovered’ when the deceased youth came back to life! Christians in Jerusalem began to venerate that cross, and since then it has been broken into fragments and dispersed among various churches. There is a fragment of the cross in Etchmiadzin, as well as in St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City. Discuss/Reflect: Although this was a discovery made long ago, even today we are called to discover the mystery of the cross in our daily lives. Are you willing to transform your life by taking up the cross, and allowing its power to give you new life in Christ?

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.

Join Us After Badarak For the Annual Bazaar Today

Operation Christmas Child begins again, and we invite you to be a part of this amazing outreach by filling shoeboxes for underprivileged children all over the world including Armenia, through Samaritan’s Purse.  This worthy organization provided 30 tons of humanitarian aid and set up triage centers staffed with medical professionals to help our Artsakh brothers and sisters when they were tragically forced to leave their homes. Shipping fees are once again being underwritten by the generosity of the Adult Christian Education (ACE) Ministry. We hope you will help us reciprocate in this small way by filling a box or two or more!

Additionally, we kindly request that you be certain the number corresponding to your name on the sign-up sheet is written on the bottom of your shoebox. This will allow us to discreetly identify returned shoeboxes.

For those unable to participate, donations will be gratefully accepted!  Donation checks should be made payable to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, memo: OCC. Drop your boxes off early! Absolutely no boxes can be accepted after November 15. Any questions can be referred to Gena DerHagopian or Alyssa Santerian.

Attention Parishioners – If you donated or know of anyone who dropped off jewelry at the church for our upcoming Harvest Bazaar, please contact Grace Meranshian at 856-728-7464. An item of significant value was found among the donations, and we would like to make sure it was not dropped off in error. If it was in error, we would like to get it returned to its rightful owner. Thank you for your help and generosity!

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
The Annual Bazaar Continues!!!!
Oct 24-25    Annual Harvest Bazaar
Nov 01         Return (Fall Back) to Standard Time
Nov 05         Zoom Book Club Meets
Nov 11         Pastor’s Zoom Bible Study
Nov 15         Deadline for Operation Christmas Child
Nov 18         Pastor’s Zoom Bible Study
Nov 26         Thanksgiving
Dec 05         Caring for Friends Service Day

Hokehankist – Bazaar 2026

• Gregory & Stephanie Alexanian by Patty & Vaughn Alexanian
• Charles & Naomi Antaramian by Charlene Simonian
• Rose & Manuel Arpajian and Elizabeth & Zaven Hovsepian by Ralph & Nane’ Arpajian
• John & Elizabeth Arslanian by John and Tamar Aslanian
• Doretta Basmajian Aslanian by Steven Aslanian
• Azad & Luceen Attarian by Lynne Asadourian
• Armand Bogosian by Paul G. Bogosian
• Patrick Killian, John & Dorothy Chalikian by Joyce Killian
• Deran Chopoorian, Asadul Sarajian and Larry Der Hagopian by Kim & Larry Der Hagopian
• Dorothy Varjabedian Cook, Manuel Cook and Movses Movsesian by Karen & Greg Movsesian
• Robert S. Damerjian, Sr. by Robert Damerjian, Jr.
• Albert and Florence Dandegian, Michael and Rose Karabian, Alice Karabian and Ruth DeStefano by Albert Dandegian, Jr.
• Larry Der Hagopian by Jeanette Der Hagopian
• Albert DerPilbosian by Valerie DerPilbosian & Family
• Charles Donoian by Marguerite Donoian
• Karapet & Hayarpie Garibian and Niaz Karibian by Dr. Garo & Cecelia Garibian
• Roupen Gureghian by Victoria Gureghian
• George Hagopian by Donna Hagopian and Ashley Marshall
• Haig Hagopian by Gay Hagopian
• Hajatian and Vosbikian Families by Lynn Hajatian
• Norair and Vera Hartunian, Harry Yazujian and Helen Vishab by Gregory & Diane Yazujian
• Stephen J. Hovnanian by Nancy Hovnanian
• Stephen Jirair Hovnanian by Alex & Melanie Santerian
• Antranik & Virginia Javardian, Andre Javardian, Rosine Magarian, and Elize Tashjian by Gregory & Maria Javardian
• Albert & Naomi Kapeghian and brother Shant Kapeghian by Robert & Janice King
• Arsen, Katherine, Ardelle, Arsen Jr., John and Nicholas Kashkashian by Ronald A Kashkashian
• Garabed and Asdghig Keshgegian by Albert & Patrice Keshgegian
• Jemma Nersisian & Nora Amyan by Suzanna Alonian
• Aram Bedros Majian by Mariana Majian
• Mirakian and Brann Families by David & Marta Brann
• Judy Paretchan by Don Paretchan
• Sooren & Mary Paretchan by Michael & Tanya Paretchan
• Souren & Elizabeth Sadjian and Charles & Polly Mears by Terri & Dave Mears
• Santerian & Gureyian Families by Linda Santerian
• Albert Santerian and Charlie Donoian by David & Alyssa Santerian
• Ned & Corinne Santerian by Merle Santerian
• Nevart & Avedis Sarkessian and Alberta & Luke Barone, Dr. Albert Sarkessian and Luke R. Barone by Robert and Elizabeth Barone
• Charles & Alice Sisian by Denise Sisian
• Arshag & Eugenie (parents) and Garo Yeterian (brother) by A. Tookmanian
• Elizabeth & Garabed Tookmanian by Mike Tookmanian
• Linda Vishab by Richard Vishab
• Rimma Yegiazarova & Liliya Bagdasarian by Vlad & Kristina Bagdasarian
• Edward L. and Rosemarie Zarzatian by Fred & Janet Jordan