THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
April 20, 2025

EASTER SUNDAY

Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ                

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

Kreesdos haryav ee merelotz! Christ is risen from the dead!

Orhnyal eh harootyoonun Kreesdosee! Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!

From Today’s Readings

Mark 16:2-8 Early on Sunday, Mary Magdalene, Mary (James’ mother), and Salome are on their way to Jesus’ tomb with spices to anoint his body. They debate whether they would be able to move the heavy stone that sealed the tomb. (What a tender, human moment!) To their surprise, the stone had been rolled away and an angelic figure sits inside the tomb, proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection. They were to tell the disciples and seek the Lord in Galilee. Discuss/reflect: These women had been with Jesus even at his crucifixion (when all but one of the disciples had abandoned him), among many other women who had “followed him and cared for his needs.” (Mark 15: 40-41) What does this tell you about the faith of these women? What does this, joined with all the other Gospel stories featuring women, tell us about their role then and now as Christian witnesses? How would you rate yourself as someone who “follows and cares”?

 Acts 1:15-26 Having encountered Jesus after His crucifixion and witnessed His ascension, Peter is addressing the believers, sharing the grim details of Judas’ death. He then declares that a new apostle is needed to replace the betrayer and outlines his qualifications. Discuss/reflect: Read vv 21-22 closely. What should qualify this new apostle? (that he had been with the Lord the entire time, day in and out, and that he would be able to witness to His resurrection) How does this translate to our discipleship today?

John 20:1-18 (Matins/Vespers Gospel) The disciples had gone, but Mary Magdalene is still grieving over her beloved Lord’s tomb Two angels ask her why she is crying and when she responds that she does not know where her Lord’s body is, she is suddenly surprised by someone she mistakenly thinks is the gardner. It is Jesus, yet only when he calls her by name does she know him. ‘Teacher!’ she answers ecstatically. He asks her to tell the disciples about their meeting; she runs to them with the words “I have seen the Lord!”  Discuss/reflect: Mary meets the risen Lord and thinks he is the gardner. What famous garden is featured in Genesis 1,2, and 3? In what garden did Jesus sweat so profusely in prayer that they were described as drops of blood? How has Creation come full circle in the risen Lord? Had you been Mary, what would you have said, asked or done?

Fellowship Today – Coffee hour is just not the same without YOU!! Please join us after Divine Liturgy. Dessert Contributions are Welcome! Your homemade or store-bought treats will add sweetness to our fellowship and are greatly appreciated!

Church School Cathedral Renovation Collection: Between Poon Paregentan and Easter, the Church School students across the Eastern Diocese have been asked to help raise money toward renovating our Cathedral in NYC that has fallen into disrepair. The Cathedral was a fulfillment of a dream to build a beautiful “national home” uniting all our parishes and faithful in the USA. It began with the generation that survived the Armenian Genocide and found refuge in America. They built our Cathedral out of gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ, for the blessings He gave them. In the early 1950s, faithful of all ages gave their support to the project—often collecting nickels and dimes in a “Cathedral Fundraising Box” that could be seen in every Armenian home. Like our ancestors, we are being asked to continue this tradition and give our support to ensure that the Cathedral will be strong and sturdy for each of us and many generations to come. Please help our students with collection in your homes or by putting collection in the plate marked Cathedral Fundraising in our Narthex. Thank you!

AYO – Did you know that public transportation runs only sporadically in certain parts of Armenia’s Syuniq region? A medical clinic in Darbas serves patients from seven surrounding rural villages, but transportation is a huge issue, especially for socioeconomically disadvantaged and elderly patients. Going to the clinic can be a full-day endeavor or simply impossible. Fund for Armenian Relief’s Ayo! platform is working to support the Darbas clinic, and its sole physician Dr. Anush, by  purchasing an all-terrain vehicle for them. They will use it to reach elderly and hard-to-reach patients, pick up medicine and handle emergency cases should the roads be closed due to severe weather conditions. Join 20 other donors from around the Eastern Diocese and make your contribution at https://www.weareayo.org (slowly getting there, now the project is 68% funded).

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.  You know you’ve been pondering volunteering for this rewarding role. Make this the week that you reach out for further information (we double dare you), by contacting Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Easter Sunday
Apr 17        Holy Thursday
Apr 18        Holy Friday
Apr 19        Easter Eve and Fellowship
Apr 20        Easter
Apr 26        Armenian Heritage Walk 2025 – Meher Statue, adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
May 07       ACE Program: Exploring Narek
May 20       ACE Program: Lift Up Your Voice

Altar Flowers (Lilies), Holy Saturday and Christ Tomb Flowers are donated by:

Vlad & Kristina Bagdasarian in memory of Rimma Yegiazarova
Stephanie Ekizian Balint, Steve Balint & Family in memory of Hagop J Ekizian and Mary D. Smith
David and Marta Brann in memory of Mirakian and Brann Families
Albert Dandegian Jr. in memory of Albert & Florence Dandegian, Michael & Rose Karabian, Alice Karabian and Ruth DeStefano
Gay Hagopian and family in memory of Haig Hagopian
Kim & Larry Der Hagopian in honor of Jeanette Der Hagopian and Debbie Sarajian
Jeanette Der Hagopian in memory of Larry Der Hagopian
Joyce Killian in memory of Patrick Killian and John & Dorothy Chalikian
Virginia Knott in memory of Charles & Alice Sisian
David & Terri Mears in memory of Souren & Elizabeth Sadjian and Charles & Polly Mears
Ruth Melian in memory of Sarkis & Dorothy Baldadian
Ernie & Chris Sadjian-Peacock in memory of parents Elizabeth and Souren Sadjian
Gevork Sarkisian
Charlene & Jon Simonian in memory of Charles & Naomi
Denise Sisian in memory of Charles and Alice Sisian and Regina and Martin DeMuro
Karnig & Alice Torossia
Greg, Diane, Michael and Brend Yazujian in memory of Norair and Vera Hartunian, Albert Kalafian, Harry Yazujian and Helen Vishab
Nauver & Arpie Zerounian in memory of Haroutuin Sinanian

Easter Yughakin donated by:

Rev. Fr. Hakob & Yn. Anna Gevorgyan
Stephen & Jean Ajemian
Selma & John Alexanian
Conne Arko
Steve Aslanian
Bors & Ella Avakyan
Ray & Margaret Ayoub
Vlad & Kristina Bagdasarian in memory of Rimma Yegiazarova
Stephanie Ekizian Balint, Steve Balint & Family in memory of Hagop J Ekizian and Mary D. Smith
David and Marta Brann in memory of Mirakian and Brann Families
Paul G. Bogosian in memory of Armand Bogosian
Christine Boyajian in memory of Dr. Nishan Boyajian
Ayshe Chakmaklian
Lorraine Damerjian and Robert Damerjian Jr. in memory of Robert Damerjian Sr. and David & Tevolinda Damerjian and Nubar & Araxie Hintlian
Kim & Larry Der Hagopian in honor of Jeanette Der Hagopian and Debbie Sarajian
Donna Hagopian & Ashley Marshall in honor of George Hagopian
Gay Hagopian and Family in memory of Jimmy and Sue Vosbikian
Tina Hagopian
Fred & Janet Jordan in memory of Edward L. Zarzation, Jr.
Gary & Carol Kalustyan in honor of Berdj & Alice Kalustyan
Ronald A. Kaskashian
Karen Kirakozov in memory of Rafael, Enok, Haystan, Satenik
Richard Kocharian and Sabina Khachatrian
Janice & Robert King family in memory of Naomi & Albert Kapeghian
Grace & Mesrob Odabashian
The Oskanian family in Memory of Ohanes B. Oskanian, MD
Linda Santerian in honor of Albert Santerian
Jerry & Theresa Sisian
Tom & Karen Vartanian Swartz in memory of Mary and Katch Kapeghian
Carlene & Lucille Thomassian in memory of Karnig, Rose & Armen Thomassian
Silva Sobol in honor of Vahan, Vladimir Movsesyan and Silva Martirossian
Richard and Linda Vishab
Rosemarie Zarzatian in memory of Edward L.  Zarzatian, Jr. and Mary & Jack Pagdikian