THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
March 31, 2024

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 on Easter Sunday – As we celebrate and rejoice this Easter, we look to simplify our Coffee Hour. We will only provide coffee and tea.  We invite our parishioners to bring anything they would like to share on the Coffee Hour table.

Additionally, we will be having our Easter Eve Fellowship which will follow Badarak that begins @ 6pm on the evening of March 30^th. We will also conduct the traditional Home Blessing service in Santerian Hall.  We hope you will join us and invite you to bring an offering of food that will be shared among everyone, which is as though our own Easter meal is being blessed.

Easter Egg Sale – Please donate one dozen cooked and decorated/colored eggs for our Easter Egg Sale. Your donated eggs can be dropped off Holy Week or Sunday Morning to be placed in the kitchen refrigerator. Contact Tanya Paretchan at 215-530-7847 with questions. Easter Egg Hunt will take place today after Badarak for children under 10.

Armenian Sisters Academy – The best way to learn about ASA is to experience it for yourself! Visit our campus to see how our deep appreciation for the Armenian language and culture empowers our students, promotes self-respect, and prepares future role models. All visitors must have a scheduled appointment and may not freely enter the building without prior notice. To schedule your private tour contact Legna Santerian at Lsanterian@asaphila.org or (610) 687-4100.

Armenian Sisters Academy – In love with Golf? Come out, play, and support ASA! This year ASA’s Spring Scramble will once again take place at the beautiful Philmont Country Club located in Huntingdon Valley on Monday June 3rd. Join us for an exciting day of golf including delicious food, refreshing cocktails, fun raffles, cool prizes and more! Take advantage of the early bird pricing of $200 player if you sign up by 3/31.  For registration and more information visit us online at www.asascramble.com.

Stay Connected with our New Church Portal – Over the past several months Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church has changed to a new Church Management System called One Church.  The new software puts you in control of your information (email, phone number, giving information, etc.), allows us to communicate with you more effectively, facilitates online, text, and app donations, and provides greater connectivity throughout our community.  You should have received an email.  If you have not gotten one (please make sure to check your spam folder), then reach out to the church office.

Humanitarian Support for Artsakh Ongoing From The Knights And Daughters Of Vartan – As the Azeri government still cracks down on the Armenian people in the nation of Artsakh, the people are not giving up! Please consider making a donation to the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Call to Action Committee! Donations will go towards humanitarian aid. For further information please visit the Knights and Daughters of Vartan website at https://kofv.org/a-call-to-action-from-kdv-for-artsakh/

Mail your donations to Knights of Vartan, Mr. Ronald Nazeley, Treasurer, 558 Kentwood Bluffs Drive, Los Angeles 90045.

Checks should be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: Artsakh, and brought or mailed to church. Online donations can be made by going to www.holytrinity-pa.org, go to donations, scroll down to Open Donation and enter Artsakh.

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 to the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For further information, contact Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Easter Sunday
Easter Egg Hunt for Children Under 10 After Badarak
Mar 29 – Holy Friday
Mar 30 – Easter Eve and Fellowship
Mar 31 – Easter Sunday
Apr 03 – Resuming on Wednesdays @ 7pm – Zoom Bible Study with Fr. Hakob
Apr 14 – Armenian Tree Project Presentation – During coffee hour

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

• Joyce Killian in memory of Patrick Killian and John & Dorothy Chalikian
• Richard S. Garabedian in memory of George & Mary Garabedian
• Nauver & Arpie Zerounian in memory of Haroutune Sinanian
• Vlad & Kristina Bagdasarian in memory of Rimma Yegiazarova
• Gregory and Diane Yazujian in memory of Norair and Vera Hartunian, Harry Yazujian and Helen Vishab
• Albert Dandegian Jr. in memory of Albert & Florence Dandegian, Michael & Rose Karabian and Ruth DeStefano
• Angel Tookmanian in memory of my dear parents Arshavir & Eugenie and my brother Garabed (Garo)
• Florence Boyajian in memory of Vahan Boyajian and Janice Boyajian Pinkerton
• David and Marta Brann in memory of Mirakian and Brann Families
• Ani Chamoun in memory Joseph Chamoun and Boudakian Family
• Karen Kirakozov in memory of Rafael, Satenik, Hayastan, Enok
• David & Terri Mears in memory of Souren & Betty Sadjian
• Azlen Oskanian Theobald in memory of Ohanes Bedros Oskanian
• Hajinian Family in memory of Nazareth Hajinian

Easter Yughakin by:

• Lucy Aghazarian in memory of Aram Avedis and Lori Aghazarian
• Selma Alexanian
• Ralph & Nane Arajian in memory of parents Manual & Rose Arpajian and Zayea & Elizabeth Hovsepian
• Lolita Babikian and Armenoui Aznavuryan in memory of Haroutyoun Aznavuryan
• Lorraine Damerjian & Robert Damerjian Jr. in memory of Robert Damerjian Sr.
• Victoria O Gureghian
• Michael & Lynn Hajatian in memory of Pulag Paroonagian
• David & Nadine Hoplamazian
• Tom & Barbara Harmon in memory of Naomi and Albert Kapeghian
• Greg & Maria Javardian
• Hank & Brenda LeCompte in memory of Charles & Elizabeth Tookmanian and Martin T. LeCompte
• Elaine & Eric and Laurie & Thom Mirijanian in memory of Ray and Helen Mirijanian
• Davit Mneyan and Anush Manukyan
• Edward Munoz & Rosemary Garibian in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Munoz
• Sonia, Nicole, Colleen & Gary Papazian, Jr. in memory of Gary Papazian, Sr.
• Michael & Tanya Paretchan in memory of Dr. Joseph Mazmanian
• Alyssa Santerian
• Kim Santerian and Dan Dunigan in memory of Ned Santerian and Corinne Santerian
• Linda Santerian
• Gevork Sarkisian
• Gary & Berdjouhi Sekdorian
• Carlene and Lucille Thomassian in memory of Karnig, Rose and Armen Thomassian
• Richard & Linda Vishab
• Michael Tookmanian
• Rosemarie Zarzatian in memory of Edward L. Zarzatian