Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the last one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the most important feast among the feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross, as it is dedicated to the history of the return of the Holy Cross from imprisonment, its elevation and glorification. In the Armenian Apostolic Church the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on Sunday during the period between September 11-17. This year that date is September 13, and the Monday following the Feast is a Memorial Day. In 610 A. D, the Persian King Khosrov with a large army attacked the Byzantine Empire. Enthusiastic about the initial victory, in 614 A. D. the Persian army entered Jerusalem. Many people were killed and many were imprisoned. Pontiff Zakaria, the Patriarch of Jerusalem was imprisoned, too. However, the Persians were not satisfied and entered into the Church of Holy Sepulcher and took the Holy Cross kept in the Church. The Holy Cross had been found and installed in the Church for the Christians to worship by Heghineh, the mother of the King Costandianos, in the beginning of the 4th century.

In 628 A. D., the Byzantine army led by the King Herakles fought against the Persians to return the Holy Cross. The Armenian army regiment, led by Mzhezh Gnounie, supported the Persian army. With the Lord’s help the Byzantine army won the battle. The Holy Cross was solemnly brought to the Armenian town Karin, from where it was carried to Constantinople, and then – to Jerusalem. On the way the Holy Cross was raised for the people to see and worship. For Christians the Cross is God’s power and strength and pride of all prides, on which Christ’s innocent blood was shed. By means of the Cross Jesus proved His love towards mankind, and the Cross became for us the symbol of hope, love and saving.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:
Galatians 6: 14-18 (page 174) New Testament
John 3: 13-21 (page 86) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

ALTAR FLOWERS: are donated to by Linda and Albert Santerian in loving memory of ANAHID GUVEYIAN.

PRAYERS REQUESTED: From the Book of James, we are taught that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Therefore, as you pray for your own family, we ask that you keep members of our Holy Trinity family in your prayers as well. Continue to pray specifically for those who are ill. Pray especially for the various ministries within our church and their leaders: our Church School, our faith-based programs, our youth. And mostly pray that Jesus Christ is a Living Presence in each and every person in our church community. You may also advise the church office if you would like to include anyone by name in this column so that we may, as a church family, pray for them.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: You are invited, long time parishioners, new members, and first time visitors, please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners and Der Hayr. The coffee hour begins when Der Hayr blesses the table. There are containers available to deposit your trash before leaving the hall. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support. Thank you.

Welcome Fr. Daniel! We are honored to have as our guest celebrant today, the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the Director of the Zohrab Information Center at the Diocese. After the Liturgy and the Antasdan Service, a light luncheon will be served before Fr. Daniel’s presentation on “The Meaning of Sainthood and Martyrdom in the Armenian Church”. We encourage our faithful to be present for what promises to be an informative and enlightening program.

Donation for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: For the Feast, the fresh basil (rahan) that is used to adorn the Cross of Christ was donated by Mrs. Doris Alahverde in memory of Armen Alahverde.

Ladies of Holy Trinity: You are invited to discover your inner creative side by joining us for cookies and adult coloring on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:00 pm in our lobby. Forget your worries and de-stress and relax as you color. We’ll provide the supplies and treats. You provide your untapped creativity and conversation with old friends and make new ones as well. RSVP by Oct.4 to Diane McGarvey @ 215-887-8339 or Dori Aslanian @ 215-757-2622

Celebrating with our Orthodox Family. We encourage all our parishioners to be present for an historic and extraordinary event taking place at Holy Trinity on Saturday, October 3: for the first-time ever, we will host clergy and members of our sister Oriental Orthodox Churches for worship and fellowship. The Con-celebration will begin at 10:30; this will be followed by a traditional Armenian meal (free of charge for all those who register by September 25!). The luncheon will be followed by a film presentation by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the Director of the Zohrab Information Center. Please don’t miss the registration deadline!

MEN’S CLUB RAFFLE – Tickets are now available – and selling fast – for the 200 Club Raffle. A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight months of drawings, with five tickets drawn each month. The first drawing will take place in November. Your chances are better than the lottery! Contact Larry Der Hagopian (215-672-4188) or Mickey Paretchan (215-947-4394) if you haven’t already purchased your ticket! The Men’s Club not only financially supports our church because of this endeavor, but has been sponsoring two children from CASP for many years.

ATTIC TREASURES:
If you’re cleaning out your closets, we would greatly appreciate donations of your CLEAN & UNDAMAGEDgently used items to be sold at the Attic Treasures table during the Harvest Bazaar. No toys, clothing or books (except cookbooks). Desired items are jewelry, women’s accessories, housewares, small furnishings, and more, more, more. Attic treasures can be left in the 1st room on the right down the Sunday School hall. Call Ayshe Chakmaklian for more info. at 610-828-2411.

GIFT AUCTION: We are in need of donations for the Harvest Bazaar Gift Auction and are asking for your help. Our goal is to obtain new gifts each in value of $100 or more but we are happy to accept gifts of various values. Gifts can be geared toward younger children, teenagers or adults. Gift baskets and gift certificates are most appreciated. You can even send items that we will package for you. Please call Naomi Mukalian at 610-296-2769 or send an email to nmukalian@gmail.com for more details.

October
Saturday October 3rd: Concelebrated Liturgy 10:30 am
Sunday October 4th: Daughter’s of Vartan Program
October 23rd, 24th & 25th: Harvest Bazaar

The Bookstore: The Bookstore is open every Sunday after Liturgy. Please stop in and browse.

COUNTRY STORE: The Country Store is open every Sunday after church services in the kitchen. All are welcome.

If you know of anyone who is a shut-in, or ill and would like a visit from Der Hayr, please call the office and give their name to Maggie our church secretary.

CHURCH ETIQUETTE: We wish to remind you, our faithful, to please maintain a quiet and contemplative manner as you approach the chancel for communion. We especially ask that you refrain from conversation while waiting your turn for communion as well as afterwards as you return to your pew. Thank you.

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.

Anyone who wishes to request any Requiem Services MUST inform the office by 1:30pm Wednesday the week before. If you also want to sponsor the Fellowship Hour you MUST call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777.

Would you like to:
– receive this Bulletin on Friday via email?
– request a Hokehankist, house blessing or hall rental information?
– find in-depth information on our faith, our parish and our activities?
– sign up for an event online?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, please visit our parish website at www.holytrinity-pa.org

WE ASK THAT EVERYONE KINDLY TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES and all other such electronic devices prior to entering the sanctuary out of respect for the sanctity of our services.