FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRANSFIGURATION

Sunday Messenger

THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 4, 2024

In the absence of Der Hakob who is leading the ASP trip in Armenia, we welcome Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian who will be our guest celebrant on Sunday. Hayr Mamigon is a good friend to our church family. Paree Yegar Hayr Soorp.  We hope many of our faithful will join us.

Fifth Sunday after Transfiguration

 Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

2 Timothy 2:15-19 Timothy is instructed to strive to be a proven and approved worker of God’s Word, accurately handling the truth. Paul warns Timothy about the dangers of empty chatter and false teachings that spread like a cancer. He gives examples of Hymenaeus and Philetus who have strayed from the truth. Despite the presence of false teachers, Paul reassures Timothy that God’s truth is solid and unchanging. Those who belong to God will be known, and true believers will turn away from evil. This passage emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and warns against false teachings. It also offers encouragement that God’s truth will ultimately prevail.

John 6:39-47 – Jesus declares that He is the “bread that came down from heaven” and that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. He emphasizes that this is the will of His Father, and that no one can come to Him unless drawn by the Father. Jesus references the Old Testament prophecy that all people will be taught by God, signifying the universal availability of His teaching and salvation.

Gregory of Nazianzus

Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian, was a 4th-century Archbishop of Constantinople, and theologian. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age.

As a classically trained orator and philosopher he infused Hellenism into the early church, establishing the paradigm of Byzantinetheologians and church officials.

Gregory made a significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek- and Latin-speaking theologians, and he is remembered as the “Trinitarian Theologian”. Much of his theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the Trinity. Along with the brothers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa, he is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers.

Gregory is a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity. In the Roman Catholic Church he is numbered among the Doctors of the Church; in Eastern Orthodoxy and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom.

He is also one of only three men in the life of the Orthodox Church who have been officially designated “Theologian” by epithet, the other two being St. John the Theologian (the Evangelist), and St. Symeon the New Theologian.

The Kiss Of PeaceAfter 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 greeting 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.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

Noubar Mangasarian on the 10th year anniversary of his eternal rest and Virginia Mangasarian on the 20th year anniversary of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by their children Diane, Grace and Greg and the Williames, Meranshian and Mangasarian families.

Tamara Vandian beloved Sister, Sister-in-law and Aunt. Requested in loving memory by Natalia, Gevork, Jenny, Karine and Stephan Sarkisian. 

Coffee Hour – All are invited. Please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners. Please feel free to bring other treats to share during coffee hour.

Blessing of the Grapes: This year the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God will take place on Sunday, August 18th.  Anyone wishing to make a donation toward grapes should contact the church office no later than August 7th.

Attention Graduates! – Looking for graduates to be included in an upcoming issue of the LOOYS (all levels). We invite you to submit your own details for inclusion. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement (church or school), and future plans (further education/work/other). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if possible. Everything should be sent to choirboss@hotmail.com by August 18, 2024.

AYO – Spring is here and Ayo! has just launched its new project “Put Down Roots.” In partnership with the Yerevan Botanical Gardens, the project aims to create an educational-therapeutic horticulture space to provide opportunities for forcibly displaced children (and others) to get their hands dirty, de-stress and learn about the environment! Once built, this special section of the botanical gardens will be available for children and youth for years to come. You can directly support the initiative here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/.

Armenian Sisters AcademyThe 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.

Stay Connected with our New Church PortalOver 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~~~~~~~~~~

Guest Celebrant: Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian
Aug 18        Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-Of-God (Grapes Blessing)
Aug 18        The Transgenerational Effects of Genocide – A presentation recommended for youth groups
Sep 02         Labor Day – Church Office Closed
Sep 15         Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sep 21Armenian Independence Day
Sep 29         Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak