THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 17, 2016

First Sunday after the Octave of Theophany Barekendan of the Fast of Catechumens

Commemoration of the Patriarch St. Peter, Bishop St. Vlas and Deacon Abisolom

Patriarch St. Peter of Alexandria and Deacon Abisolom are important saints of the Universal Church. At the beginning of the 4th century being the Patriarch of Alexandria, St. Peter thanks to the strength of his faith and with the support of the Deacon Abisolom led and protected his flock during the period of reign of the kings Dioclethianus, Galerius and Maximianus, who persecuted the Christians. Because of the intensification of persecutions and upon the insistence of the local community the Patriarch left for Palestine and Mesopotamia. However, becoming aware of Christians’ martyrdoms, he immediately returned to Alexandria and soon he was imprisoned. By the wish of the saint, and also fearing of the people’s indignation, the soldiers don’t behead him publicly. The Patriarch Peter and the Deacon Abisolom were martyred in 311.Bishop Vlas of Sebastia always gave the lead to the Christians and encouraged the martyrs. During the period of persecutions of the king Likianos Bishop Vlas advised his flock to leave Sebastia, and went to live in the monasteries on the Mountain Areos, where he lived an ascetic and prayerful life. However, authorities became aware of the place of the saint and brought him to the court, where filled with the Lord’s Spirit, Bishop Vlas reproached the heathens. For his behavior he was subjected to torments, then he was thrown into the lake of Sebastia and afterwards was beheaded in 316.The life, behavior and martyrdom of the Patriarch St. Peter, Bishop St. Vlas and Deacon Abisolom have been a model for the entire Christian world, at the price of whose blood the Christian Church was  founded.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• 2 Timothy 2: 15-26 (pages 192-193) New Testament
• John 6: 15-21 (page 89) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

• VARTAN TER-SAAKYAN, ANNA PETROSOVA, HRACHIK PETROSOV, SUREN MARTIROSIAN & RAFAEL GRIGORYAN requested by Ashot and Aida Petrosyan and Petrosyan Family.

Day of Remembrance:  At the conclusion of Badarak today, there will be a short candle-lighting service and hokehankisd to honor the memory of those in our community who passed away in 2015 and received the burial rites of our church. Through this ceremony, the entire Holy Trinity parish shares in each family’s loss and remembers all the departed with love, gratitude and consoling prayer.

PRAYERS REQUESTED: From the Book of James, we are taught that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  Therefore, as you pray for your own family, we ask that you keep members of our Holy Trinity family in your prayers as well.  Continue to pray specifically for those who are ill.   Pray especially for the various ministries within our church and their leaders:  our Church School, our faith-based programs, our youth.  And mostly pray that Jesus Christ is a Living Presence in each and every person in our church community. You may also advise the church office if you would like to include anyone by name in this column so that we may, as a church family, pray for them.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Today’s fellowship hour is dedicated to the Day of Remembrance. Sponsored by the Parish Council. All are welcome

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL: Celebrates Poon Paragentan on Sunday February 7, 2016 after church services in Santerian Hall. Church School children are free. Adults are $8.00 per person and children (ages 5-12) are $4.00 each. Look for the flyer in the mail and please RSVP by January 31st.

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.

Parish Directory:   The Parish Council will publish a new Parish Directory in February.  We have completed a draft and would like you to review your information to ensure it is correct and up-to-date.   Brian Hoyle will be in the hallway outside Santerian Hall on Sunday, January 10, 17, and 24 with copies of the draft.  Please review your data in the draft and make any needed corrections.

SEEKING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: St. Nersess is seeking a part-time Development Officer to oversee the seminary’s fundraising and alumni/donor relations programs. Reporting to the dean of the seminary, the Development Officer will also work closely with an engaged, supportive Board of Directors and a dynamic school team.  For more information contact the seminary at 914-273-0200.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
January

• Sunday January 17th: Day of Remembrance

February

• Sunday February 7th: Poon Paregentan
• Friday February 12th: Lenten Service
• Friday February 19th: Lenten Service
• Sunday February 21st: Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 2/28 & 3/6)
• Saturday February 27th: Leadership Workshop 9:30 am

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.

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.

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• If the answer to any of these questions is YES, please visit our parish website at www.holytrinity-pa.org