THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 14, 2016

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God

Each year on the Sunday closest to the date of August 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the Calendar of the Armenian Church, this feast is the fourth of five major feasts that are commemorated, and is the oldest one dedicated to St. Mary.

In the Holy Bible, there is little information concerning the details of St. Mary’s life. As a result, the story of her Assumption has been preserved and passed on to us through the Holy and Sacred Tradition of the Apostolic Church.

Following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin remains in Jerusalem, and lives under the care of St. John the Evangelist. For nearly 12 years, St. Mary lives by praying, fasting, and often visiting the empty tomb of her beloved Son. During one such visit to the tomb, the Archangel Gabriel appears and gives her the news of her imminent assumption to heaven. St. Mary relays the news to her relatives and all Christians, asking them to bury her in the valley of Gethsemane. St. Mary also asks the Apostle John to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, so she may receive Holy Communion one final time. After receiving Holy Communion, St. Mary returns to her room. As the Apostles prepare to mourn her death, St. John asks the Mother of God to leave an image of her face on a board of wood. St. Mary takes the board, crosses herself and brings it close to her face. Moistening the board with her tears, she asks God that by means of the board, people would be cured from disease. As the Apostles surround St. Mary, an indescribable light appears. The Son of God and the angels of heaven appear in the room. Seeing Christ, St. Mary dies.

St. Bartholomew the Apostle was absent and did not participate in the burial service of St. Mary. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he wishes to see St. Mary for the last time. Per his request, the Apostles open the tomb, yet they do not find the remains of St. Mary. According to His promise, Jesus Christ had delivered His mother to His heavenly kingdom. The Apostles give the board of St. Mary to St. Bartholomew for consolation.

According to Moses of Khoren, St. Bartholomew brings the board to Armenia. It is kept in the Province of Andzav, in a location called Darbnots. Years later, a church is built there in honor of St. Mary, and a convent is opened.

On the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Ceremony of the Blessing of the Grapes is conducted, and the harvest for the entire year is blessed on that day.

The Armenian Church has a deep and abiding respect towards St. Mary. Special emphasis is placed on her being a mother, her honesty, her unique spirit of humility, her virtuous behavior and her unselfish dedication. For Armenian women, the Holy Virgin is the embodiment of virtue, pious motherhood, and the protector of family sacredness.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Galatians 3: 29-4:7 (page 172) New Testament
• Luke 1: 26-38 (page 51) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b). Please remember in your prayers: healing for Penny Hajatian, Mickey Sherian and Anita Mirijanian; law enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty; those killed in the many terrorist attacks in gatherings here and abroad and their families who are suffering their loss; comfort for the bereaved among us; for the current unrest in Armenia; all those affected by the ongoing conflict in Artsakh – families whose loved ones were killed and the injured as they try to recover; and all who are persecuted for their faith and forced from their homes during these perilous times.

Fellowship Hour – Join us today as we celebrate a special occasion for two of our active couples who were recently wed in a church service with Der Hakob officiating, having originally been married in a civil service many years ago. We wish Karine and Gagik Hovhanissyan and Aida and Ashot Petrosyan continued blessings in the years ahead.

Save The Date! The 50th anniversary of the consecration of our Church Building will be celebrated with a banquet on Sunday, September 18. Please contact Tom Torcomian at (610) 662-7879 if you would like to be a banquet sponsor.

The 50th Anniversary Committee is interested in memorabilia (documents, flyers, photos) related to church history during the past 50 years. And let us know if you would like these items returned after the banquet or if you would like to have the church retain them. We will need your memorabilia by Sunday August 14th. Please contact Michael (Mick) Paretchan for details or questions at 215-947-4394.

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 and the last in June; the prizes in those two months will be $1000 / $400 / $200 / $200 / $ 200 !! And 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 provides financial support for our church through this endeavor, and has been sponsoring two orphaned children via CASP for many years.

ATTENTION GRADUATES – The September issue of the Looys will feature information about all graduates. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement, and future plans (further education/work). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if desired. Everything should be sent to looys@holytrinity-pa.org no later than August 28th.

On the occasion of the Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rite of the Blessing of Grapes, the following have made donations to our Church:
*In honor of DER HAKOB by Harry V. and Mary T. Injaian
*Ayshe Chakmaklian
*In memory of YOLANDA TERZIAN by John Terzian
*In memory of VAHAN BOYAJIAN by Florence Boyajian
*In memory of BOBBY SARKISIAN by Mary K. Sarkisain
*In memory of ELIZABETH “BETTIE” ARSLANIAN by John Arslanian
*In memory of NAOMI KAPEGHIAN by Janice, Robert, Jaclyn & Scott King
*In memory of HELEN VISHAB by Jack Vishab
*In memory of MARDIROS & YESTER ERGENIAN by Hagop and Sonia Ergenian
*In memory of VAHAKN DERASSOUYAN by Melinee Derassouyan
*In memory of MY PARENTS, RICHARD & LUCY BASRALIAN by Alyce Jilajian
*For a Special Thanksgiving by Ms. Angel Tookmanian
*In memory of PAUL BERBERIAN by Gary and Lisa Berberian
*SOUREN & ELIZABETH SADJIAN by Ernie and Chris Sadjian-Peacock
*In memory of JOHN & ROSE SERABIAN, EDWARD & ROSE KARNIKIAN, KEURIAN, MINOSIAN & TOOLIAN FAMILIES by Merle Santerian
*In memory of DAMERJIAN & HINTLIAN FAMILIES by Robert and Lorraine Damerjian.
* In memory of MARIA HACIVASILOGLU by Sarkis Hashas.
*In memory of ARSEN & KATHERINE KASHKASHIAN by Ronald A. Kashkashian
* In memory of MARY MIRAKIAN, on her name day, by David and Marta Brann.
*In memory of MICHAEL & ROSE KARABIAN and RUTH DESTEFANO by Ms. Alice Karabian.
*In honor of DIRAMAYR HRIPSIME AIVAZIAN & in memory of MAXIN TOROSSIAN & MARIJAN TOROSSIAN by Karnig and Alice Torossian.
*In memory of SOUREN & BETTY SADJIAN by Dave and Terri Mears
*in memory of TOMAS KHACHATRYAN by Sabina Khachatrian and Richard Kocharian
*In memory of SUZIE PAPAZIAN by Gary and Sonia Papazian
*In memory of EVELYN WEINSHEIMER by Richard Weinsheimer
*In memory of MARI PANJAZJIAN & MARI AZNAVOURYAN by Armenoui Aznavuryan
*In memory of DIRAMAYR SERPOUHI ARZOUMANIAN by Vartan and Elize Mazmanian
*In memory of DIRAMAYR SERPOUHI ARZOUMANIAN by Hagop Arzoumanian
*In memory of DAMERJIAN AND VISHABAZOON FAMILIES by Richard & Linda Vishab

ATTIC TREASURES: If you’re cleaning out your closets, we would greatly appreciate donations of your CLEAN & UNDAMAGED gently 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. If you need a New Jersey pick up call Grace Meranshian at 856-217-9333.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
August

• Sunday August 14th: ASSUMPTION (Blessing of Grapes)

September

• Sunday September 11th: FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS & Church School Opening
• Sunday September 18th: 50th Consecration Anniversary

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.

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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.