THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
July 28, 2019

Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord

Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five main “Tabernacle” feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church. It commemorates the transformation or the “transfiguration” that came over Jesus while He was praying. Christ’s face shone like the sun and his clothes became a radiant and gleaming white. The Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed that event which occurred on a high mountain named Tabor.

Evangelists St. Matthew, St. Mark and St. Luke testify about the transfiguration of Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:1-12, Luke 9:28-36).
“… As they looked on, a change came over Jesus: his face was shining like the sun and his clothes were dazzling white. Then the three disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. So Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, “Lord, how good it is that we are here! If you wish I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was talking, a shining cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased – listen to him!” When the disciples heard the voice, they were so terrified that they threw themselves face downward on the ground. Jesus came to them and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid!” So they looked up and saw no one there but Jesus. (Matthew 17:2-8)
In the Armenian Church, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated 98 days following Easter. The Feast also is known by the common name of “Vardavar”. This day is associated with an old Armenian tradition of pouring water on one another. Some sources attribute the tradition as a remnant of an Armenian pre-Christian celebration. The Monday following the Feast is a Memorial Day.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

1 John 1: 1-7 (page 214) New Testament
Matthew 16: 13-17:13 (pages 16-17) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Zechariah 14:16-21 (page 929) Old Testament

“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). Please pray for Merle Santerian, Armen Mirakian, Steve Hovnanian, Alice Charles, Armen Mirakian, Pearl Jamgochian and Ani Navasartian for improved health and to feel God’s healing presence in their lives. Pray also for Der Hakob and his family and our church family of forty, for their safety and well-being as they embark on a pilgrimage to Armenia, departing on June 24.

Altar candles are donated by Jeanette Der Hagopian and Family in loving memory of sisters/aunts, Virginia Der Hagopian (13 years) and Melena Ayjian (6 years).

THE SUMMER COFFEE HOUR is upon us and can only happen with faithful support from those who enjoy it, meaning different people volunteering each week to set it up and clean up afterward. Coffee will continue to be provided and bagels will be brought in whenever possible. We will depend on our parishioners to supply the “Pot Luck” refreshments each week. Please give serious consideration to volunteering your manpower which will enable us to continue providing this fellowship time that everyone enjoys so much. Call the church office and let Maggie know the Sunday that you would like to volunteer. It will be greatly appreciated.

NEW COMMUNION PROCEDURE – Before gathering for confession, please allow time for the Choir Members to come down and join us before we begin.

Paree Kaloost Der Hayr, Yeretzgin Anna, Narek and Vartan! Today, we are delighted to welcome home Der Hayr and his beloved family from their visit to Armenia. This is the longest time Der Hayr has been away from us so we anticipate a real celebration at a special Coffee Fellowship, sponsored by the Parish Council, following the Divine Liturgy. Please join us as we also greet Dyramayr Maro who will be visiting the U.S. for the first time and spending several months here.

Did you know that when we participate in Soorp Badarak (Divine Liturgy), we are also being invited to a meal (communion) offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As such, we should dress in a manner worthy of that invitation. We ask our faithful to dress appropriately for worship. Please, no very short dresses, shorts or bare shoulders. Thank you.

Blessing of the Grapes: This year the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God will take place on Sunday, August 18. Anyone wishing to make a donation toward grapes should contact the church office no later than August 13.

ATTENTION GRADUATES – The August issue of the Looys will feature information about all graduates and we look forward to including all of our graduates at any level. 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. To be included, everything must be sent to looys@holytrinity-pa.org no later than July 21st.

FAR UPDATE: CASP Stipends Assist Javakhk Siblings and Their Struggling Family – Ani and Robert Mgdesyan, ages 7 and 10, live in Georgia’s Javakhk Region with their mother and grandparents. Their father, Onik, who was a local police chief, died in a car accident in 2012. He made a good salary and since his death, their mother Amalya, a teacher, has struggled greatly to try to make ends meet. Last year, both children were accepted into FAR’s Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) and will receive support in the form of annual stipends until they turn 18. In this way, CASP has been a great help, enabling Amalya to be able to afford winter clothes and firewood to heat their house, which helps the family to survive the brutal Javakhk winters. CASP currently helps a total of 539 children and their families. This year, 86 of those children are from Javakhk. Read more here:https://farusa.org/2019/07/04/casp-casp-stipends-assist-javakhk-siblings-and-their-struggling-family/To support FAR’s educational projects, go to: https://weareayo.org/donate

2019 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:

June
2 – 95 people $385.00
9 – 57 people $221.00
16 – 61 people $432.00
23 – 64 people $355.00
30 – 31 people $126.00
Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

July
July 28th – Feast of Transfiguration
August
August 18th – Feast of the Assumption/Blessing of the Grapes
September
Saturday September 28th – Fall Into Philly Kef @ Holy Trinity

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.

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.