THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
May 2, 2021

 Apparition of the Holy Cross 

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

John 7:14-23 Preaching in the temple courts, Jesus told those amazed at his knowledge that all he taught was from the One who sent him. He exhorts them to see that healing on the Sabbath is more proper than their strict adherence to Mosaic Law. Discuss/reflect: Jesus taught a humane flexibility about “tradition” and asks people to scrutinize their own behavior: “Has not Moses given you the law?And yet not one of you keeps the law” (v 19) When it comes to your Christian faith, do you ‘walk the walk’ or just ‘talk the talk’  (as so many of Jesus’ critics did)?

Acts 17:1-15 Accompanied by Silas, St. Paul preached in the synagogues at Thessalonica and Berea. Although many Jews jealously opposed him – even inciting mobs to riot –  Paul converted a large number. Discuss/reflect: The Bereans were eager students of the Bible and “examined the Scriptures every day” (v.11). How often do you read the Bible? If not often, how could you increase your time spent with the Word of God, so that you, too, might be able to “reason from the Scriptures” like St. Paul (v. 2)?

1 John 1:1-10 John shares his joy in all he has experienced and witnessed. God is light; those who claim fellowship with him can longer walk in the darkness. He exhorts believers to be honest about their shortcomings since Jesus forgives our sins if we confess them. Ultimately, fellowship with God leads to fellowship with one another. Discuss/reflect: The epistle writer shares his experience of the Lord “to make [his] joy complete.” (v.4) How important it is that he considers his faith complete only when proclaimed to others! Do you witness to your faith? By example? By invitation? In conversation?

Today is the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross

The 4^th Sunday after Easter, this important feast of the cross recalls a miracle occurring in 351 A.D. when a huge cross appeared in the sky over Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. It was seen stretching from the Mount of Olives to Golgotha (a distance of approx. 1½ miles). The miracle affected everyone: Christians were strengthened in their faith and many non-believers were converted as a result. There is historical proof of this event. The presiding Archbishop of Jerusalem, Guregh (St. Cyril), wrote to the Christian Emperor Constantine of Constantinople telling him of this great miracle; the letter has been preserved by the Armenian Church. At the time, Constantine was still defending the teachings of the heretic Arius and thereby promoting division in the church. But the letter renewed his faith and fortified his resolve to adhere to orthodox doctrine.

        Department of Christian Education/ Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)/elisea@armeniandiocese.org

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night….” (Nehemiah 1:5–6).   Prayers are requested for Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Alice Charles, Theodora Mirakian, Leslie Movsesian & Larry Grocott.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

– VERY REV. FR. HAIGAZOUN MELKONIAN
– REV. MICHAEL BUTTERO
– REV. ARSEN TOROSIAN
– REV. HOVHANNES KAVOUKIAN
– VERY REV. GHEVONT ARABIAN
– VERY REV. TORKOM MANOOGIAN
– VERY REV.PAPKEN VARJABEDIAN
– REV. ARTEN ASHJIAN
– REV.BOGHOS MANOUKIAN
– REV.SARKIS KASHIJIAN requested by our Holy Trinity Family.

Karasoonk (40^th Day memorial Service) today will be for:

  – LENO BAKUNTS on the 40^th Day of His eternal life requested by the Bakunts Family.                              

Please note that all parishioners are required to wear a mask at all times anywhere in the Church building or on the Church grounds. If you need a mask, we will be glad to provide you with one. No exceptions.

PLEASE JOIN US ON MAY 16 as we celebrate the Church School graduates from both 2020 and 2021.  The Graduation Ceremony will take place in the Sanctuary immediately following the Divine Liturgy.  All are welcome.

COUNTRY STORE IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS:  We are well stocked in our store and invite you to come in after church most Sundays or place an order for pickup with Lorraine Damerjian @ 215-572-8465. 

MEN’S CLUB NEWS – The April 200 CLUB drawing for 2020-21 was completed on 4/11/21. You can see the results on our HTAC Website. Click on: Organizations, Men’s Club. –Congratulations to the Winners!

Adult Christian Education (ACE) Upcoming Programs

May 6 – Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, Guest Speaker
A.S.A.P. (Always Say A prayer)
May 20 –Book Club: “Beast on the Moon”  by Richard Kalinoski
Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Guest Moderator
June 24 – Book Club: “The Human Comedy” by William Saroyan
Moderator, Lucy Aghazarian

We invite you to join us by contacting nancybasmajian@verizon.net for further information or to sign up and receive the link for any or all of these programs.

DIVINE LITURGY IN YOUR HOME

Since we do not stream services at our church every week, we invite you to click on one of the following links to partake of Badarak at any of the following:

https://www.facebook.com/SSSMAAC/live/ (St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church)
http://www.stleon.org (St Leon Live Stream)
https://www.facebook.com/stvartancathedral (St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral)
http://www.holy-martyrs.org (Holy Martyrs Live Stream)

ASA OPEN HOUSE: Interested in finding out more about ASA for your child?
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you, answer any questions and guide your family through the admissions process. Though our campus is open, due to safety concerns in light of COVID-19 we are unable to welcome visitors to campus during school hours. We have transitioned our spring open house and tours into virtual zoom/phone meetings as well as after-hours tours. Email Legna Santerian at lsanterian@asaphila.org to schedule a tour – just for your family!

We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the Armenian Sisters Academy!
Check out our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wevb1U3tAnI 

Legna