THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 15, 2017

First Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

The glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist

The glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist is also referred to as John the Forerunner because he was the forerunner of Christ. He was an ascetic and great prophet, who baptized Christ and became one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox Church. John is a cousin of Christ through his mother Elizabeth.
His birth took place six months before that of Jesus, and according to the Gospel account was expected by prophecy (Matt. 3:3; Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1) and foretold by an angel.

John was a Nazarite from his birth (Luke 1:15; Num. 6:1-12). He spent his early years in the mountainous tract of Judea lying between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea (Matt. 3:1-12). He led a simple life, wearing rope (gamla) fiber clothing and eating “locusts and wild honey” (Matt. 3:4).

As an adult John started to preach in public, and people from “every quarter” were attracted to his message.

The fame of John reached the ears of Jesus in Nazareth (Matt. 3:5), and he came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John, on the special ground that it became him to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). John’s special office ceased with the baptism of Jesus, who must now “increase” as the King come to his kingdom. He continued, however, for a while to bear testimony to the Messiahship of Jesus. He pointed him out to his disciples, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.” His public ministry was suddenly (after about six months probably) brought to a close by his being cast into prison by Herod, whom he had reproved for the sin of having taken to himself the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19). He was shut up in the castle of Machaerus, 9 miles east of the Dead Sea, and here he was beheaded at the instigation of Herodias.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• 1 Timothy 1: 1-11 (page 188) New Testament
• John 2: 1-11 (page 85) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

• EVELYN WEINSHEIMER (2nd Anniversary of her eternal life) requested by Richard Weinsheimer.
• CHARLES SISIAN (4th Anniversary of his eternal life) and MARTIN J. DEMURO (11th Anniversary of his eternal life) requested by Alice and Denise Sisian.
• RONALD NISHAN GOOSHIAN requested by his wife Ani Gooshian.
• RUDOLF DAVTYAN requested by his Family members.

PRAYERS: In this season of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we give thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy. Nevertheless, there are many among us in ill health, grieving the loss of loved ones, and living in difficult circumstances. Beyond our community, the world has much unrest, and peace is not as we know it. As we enjoy the happiness and joys of this time, we ask that you please keep in your thoughts and prayers those who suffer in any of these circumstances. “Answer me when I call to you…..be merciful to me and hear my prayers” (Ps 4:1).

ALTAR FLOWERS & CANDLES: are donated today by the Sarkisian Family in loving memory of HARRY & GREGORY SARKISIAN.

ALTAR FLOWERS are also donated today by Richard Weinsheimer in loving memory of EVELYN WEINSHEIMER on the 2nd Anniversary of her eternal life.

COFFEE HOUR: is sponsored today by Richard Weinsheimer in loving memory of EVELYN WEINSHEIMER on the 2nd Anniversary of her eternal life and Ani Gooshian in loving memory of RONALD NISHAN GOOSHIAN. All are welcome.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: Scheduled for February 19, 2017 with alternate snow dates of March 5 or March 12, 2017.

REMINDER: According to the Diocesan Bylaws, membership dues are to be paid no later than December 31st each year in order to be a member in “good standing” and to be eligible to vote at the annual assembly. Any monies received after that date will be applied to the new year. For any questions regarding your status, please call the church office.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL: Celebrates Poon Paragentan on Sunday February 26, 2017 after church services in Santerian Hall. Church School children are free. Adults are $10.00 per person and children (ages 5-12) are $5.00 each. Look for the flyer in the mail and please RSVP by February 12th.

The Ladies of Holy Trinity thank our parishioners who supported the Loose Change Drive for Vanadzor, the old aged home in Armenia. We raised $188!!

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.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
January

• Sunday January 15th: Day of Remembrance

February

• Sunday February 19th: Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 3/5 & 3/12)
• Sunday February 26th: Poon Paregentan

The Bookstore: The Bookstore is open every Sunday after Liturgy. Please stop in and browse.

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.

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.