THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 28, 2018

Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

The Weapon of Victory

In the 4th century, St. Constantine the Great sent his mother, Queen Helena, to find the actual cross upon which Christ was crucified. In 326, the location of the cross of Christ was disclosed, but three crosses were found. To authenticate the true cross of Christ, the body of a youth who had recently died was placed on each of the three pieces of wood. The Holy Cross of Christ was discovered when the body of the youth came back to life. This is the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross (Գիւտ Խաչ) that the Armenian Church celebrates this Sunday.

Christians in Jerusalem began to venerate the true cross of Christ, and since then it has been broken into fragments, and dispersed among various churches within various traditions. Within the Armenian Church, there is a fragment of the true Cross located in Etchmiadzin, as well as St. Vartan Cathedral of the Eastern Diocese.

A discovery in history, but even today, we are called to discover the mystery of the Cross in our daily lives. What is that mystery? Christ redeems all suffering through his grace and life-giving presence. Jesus transformed the Cross, at one time a symbol of torture and execution, into a symbol of faith and salvation, a weapon of victory over death. In his festal hymn composed for this feast, 7th century Catholicos, Sahak Dzoroporetsi writes,

To your miracle-working and mighty wooden cross, Christ, staff of strength on earth revealed; come people let us bow down in worship. To the treasure that could not be hid though ignored by the Jews, which revealed by the yearning of the queen as the wood of life; come people let us bow down in worship. This is the weapon of victory for the faithful, the champion and victory seal against the enemy. Come people let us bow down in worship.

The epistle reading for this Sunday is from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. He writes, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18). Do we believe in the power of the Cross to give us new life in Christ, as did St. Paul? Are we willing to be placed on the Cross by Christ and his Church, to lay down our own lives, allowing its power to give us new life in Christ? How do we as a community suffer? How can we unite that suffering with Christ through the power of the Cross? How can the Cross steer our course as individuals, as families?

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

1Corinthians 1:18-24 (page 151) New Testament
Matthew 24:27-36 (page 25) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 33: 22-34:1 (page 710) Old Testament

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

*Armen J. Alahverde Sr. requested by Doris Alahverde
* Albert & Nevart Sarkessian requested by Robert and Elizabeth Barone
*Vahan Boyajian by the Florence Boyajian
*Brann, Mirakian, Ohanian, Antaramian & Minassian Families requested by David & Marta Brann
*Naomi Kapeghian & Kathryn Harmon requested by Barbara and Tom Harmon
*Philip & Martha Abrahamian and John Abrahamian requested by Jim Faridy
*Evelyn Weinsheimer & Albert Chapjian requested by Richard Weinsheimer
*Antranik, Virginia & Andre Javardian requested by Greg and Maria Javardian
*Michael & Rose Karabian, Ruth DeStefano requested by Alice Karabian
*Elizabeth & Garabed Tookmanian requested by Michael Tookmanian
*Ardashes & Sara Kaiserian requested by Edward and Carol Kaiserian
*Mary & Kappy Kapeghian requested by Tom Swartz & Karen Vartanian
*Mary Paretchan requested by Don and Judy Paretchan
*Charles & Polly Mears requested by Dave & Terri Mears
* Arsen & Katherine Kashkashian requested by Ronald A. Kashkashian
* Patrick Killian and John & Dorothy Chalikian requested by Joyce Killian
*Elizabeth & Souren Sadjian requested by Ernie & Chris Sadjian-Peacock
*Eugenie & Arshavir Yeterian, Kouyoumdjian, Assadourian, Hairanian, Seferian Families & James & Mary Fitzmaurice requested by Angel Tookmanian
*Helen Vishab requested by Jack Vishab
*George G. Hagopian requested by Donna G. Hagopian
*Michael Hajatian Sr. requested by Michael & Lynn Hajatian and Michael & Erika Torosian
*Sara Baker & Rose Okurian requested by Jack and Rena Baker
*Harry Yazujian, Helen Vishab, Norair Hartunian & Miriam Hartunian requested by Greg and Diane Yazujian
*John & Rose Serabian, Ned Santerian & Corrine Santerian Moore requested by Merle Santerian
*Santerian & Guveyian Families requested by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Santerian
* Larry Der Hagopian requested by Kim & Gena Willard
* Aram A. Aghazarian requested by Lucy Aghazarian
*Elsie Santerian requested by Albert & Valerie DerPilbosian
*Zaven Hovsepian requested by Elizabeth Hovsepian
*John Juskalian Sr. requested by Mardie Juskalian
*Edward L Zarzatian requested by Rosemarie Zarzatian
*Diramayr Serpouhi Arzoumanian requested by Hagop Arzoumanian
*Haroutun Aznavuryan requested by Armenoui Aznavuryan
*Mary Paretchan, Hyarpie & Garabed Garibian requested by Michael & Tanya Paretchan

“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” (1Tim 2:8). Please pray for Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, Sam Silk, Doris Alahverde, Anto Vartanian, Butch Kumkumian, Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Armenoui Aznavuryan and Pearl Jamgochian for a return to better health and to feel the presence of God in their lives. Pray for our country and her leaders; and also for our children who have returned to school – that they may continue their education in a peaceful and safe environment. Continue praying for our sister churches in Kerala, India, and for those affected by Hurricane Florence.

SAVE THE DATE to join us for a Banquet honoring the Deacons and Choir of Holy Trinity Armenian Church on Sunday, November 18, 2018, immediately following Badarak. Contact the office at 215-663-1600 or office@holytrinity-pa.org with any questions. Reservations required by the deadline date of Friday, November 9, 2018. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Coffee Hour. This year we are looking for individuals or families, to run a Coffee Hour each Sunday. (Those who have been running it, are overloaded with doing more than one job on Sundays.) There are sign-up sheets for the next 4 month of Sundays. Anyone wishing to sponsor a special Coffee Hour (Birthday, Anniversary, 40 Days or more, etc.) other than the normal Coffee Hour must contact Merle Santerian 215-205-1507, to make arrangements 2 weeks ahead of time. Under the new scheduling, if a Sunday has no one signed up on the Board, to run the Coffee Hour, there will be no Coffee Hour that Sunday. So, please volunteer and let’s fill all the Sundays in on the Schedule. It is not that involved, and Merle will explain what you have to do to run one. Any questions just see her on any Sunday or call her at the above phone number. Thanks, for your cooperation! We know how much everyone enjoys the Fellowship Hour and we would like to keep it going.

SCRIPTURE AND SHNORHALI REDUX: Our Adult Christian Education (ACE) ministry is pleased to announce another opportunity for our faithful to examine the writings of St. Nersess Shnorhali (the Grace-filled), one of the most beloved and celebrated saints of the Armenian Church. If you missed the introductory series back in July, don’t fret; that series was not a pre-requisite. We will meet at church on three consecutive Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 beginning on November 6. Participants will discover the many biblical images and references that come alive in his work—most especially his popular hymns. Our guides will be Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan (who will be singing for us!) and Deacon Albert Keshgegian. We urge you to take advantage of this unique program and, as always, we encourage you to bring a friend. To register, contact Nancy Basmajian at 215-722-3369 or nancybasmajian@verizon.net. Flyers are available in the narthex and the church lobby.

ROAD CLOSURE: Please be advised that beginning on Monday, October 29, 2018 (after the bazaar), there will be no access to church by way of the intersection at Tookany Creek Parkway and Ashmead Road as the long-awaited reconstruction of the bridge will begin. This closure will require many from Montgomery and Bucks Counties to find an alternate route to church. We have not been advised if detour signs will be put up to help in this regard. Please allow extra time to reach church because of this disruption.

2018 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:
September
2 – 57 people $231.00
9 – 113 people $616.00
16 – 97 people $528.00
23 – 79 people $400.00
30 – 111 people $504.00
Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

October
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 26, 27 & 28: Harvest Bazaar

November
Tuesdays 6, 13, 20 (Tuesday mornings): Scripture and Shnorhali
Sunday November 18: Banquet

December
Sunday Dec 16 Lunch with Santa
Sunday Dec 30 Pomegranate Sunday

Men’s Club “200 Club” Ticket Update-WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Additional tickets are now available due to several senior parishioners returning their tickets. We now have nine (9) tickets available for purchase and looking for our younger members to participate. Our first drawing of the season is scheduled for early November and we need 100% sold. Please see/contact Mick, Larry, or Mike Tookmanian. Thank you!

Using the Pew Book: In order to enrich understanding of the Divine Liturgy, we encourage our faithful to follow along in the large two-part Pew Book. Part One includes the classical Armenian used in the Liturgy; the facing page is the translation in modern Western Armenian. Part Two contains the transliteration of the classical Armenian; the right-hand page has the English translation. This Pew Book includes the prayers of the celebrant usually offered inaudibly. The prayers offered aloud are indicated in boldface type.

PARKING REMINDER –
> Non-Disabled Persons parking spaces are designated with white lines.
> Disabled Persons Parking spaces are designated with blue lines and are reserved for vehicles with a State-authorized disability placard or license plate.
> No parking is allowed in the driveway nearest to the kitchen door.
THANK YOU for your cooperation!

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.

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.