THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 20, 2021

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Father’s Day

COVID UPDATE:  As the law in Montgomery County has evolved, people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can resume indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or socially distancing. Masks are still required for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in crowded indoor areas. Please exercise your best judgment and caring for everyone in our Church community.   

Scripture and Feast Day Memo

From Today’s Readings

Isaiah 1: 21-31 The prophet continues God’s message to a once-faithful Jerusalem, now depicted as a tarnished prostitute. Justice is not served, rulers seek bribes, and widows are neglected. But God will purge away all these impurities and restore the city to righteousness.  Discuss/reflect: Does your parish spend time working on behalf of the oppressed and the poor in your community? What situations ought it to address?

Romans 7:25-8:11 These verses, in which the word “Spirit” appears so often, answer the question: what does it mean to belong to Christ and live in the Spirit and how does that change my life? Paul declares gratefully that because God offered up his own Son as a sin offering, we have been set free from sin and death, something the old Law could not have accomplished. Those not living according to the Spirit, controlled by a sinful nature, are strangers to God and would not even be able to understand his ways. Discuss/reflect: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (8:6) In these difficult times, what governs your mind: life and peace or anxiety and fear? If the latter, what might you do to draw closer to the One who can change this?

Matthew 12: 38-45 Despite all the miracles that Jesus has already worked, the scribes and Pharisees ask for more signs. The exasperated Jesus cites Jonah, first for how the prophet’s message of repentance was quickly heeded by the Ninevites (non-Jews) and also for Jonah’s ‘burial’ in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Jesus laments how evil can easily find a home in the hearts of those who do not understand who He is. Discuss/reflect: Does God dwell in your heart? Do you feel his presence in all you do, think, say? Does that change what happens to you or does it change who you are?

Saturday,  June 26, commemorates  Sts. King Drtad and Queen Ashkhen
This royal couple, along with the extraordinary “Illuminator,” St. Gregory, are the key figures associated with Armenia’s conversion to Christianity. Others played a heroic role, however, such as the martyrs Hripsime, Gayane and their fellow nuns and the King’s sister Khosrovitookht. The backstory is long and rich and can be savored in the 5^th century Agathangelos’ History of the Armenians. Drtad’s persecution of Sts. Hripsime and Gayane and his imprisonment of Gregory to stop his proselytizing were said to have driven the King mad. Upon Drtad’s miraculous healing by St. Gregory, the King and Queen, the royal family (although Ashkhen and Khosrovitookht had probably been converted earlier), and the army were baptized. Drtad and Ashkhen encouraged the preaching of the Good News throughout Armenia and even assisted physically with the building of Holy Etchmiadzin and churches dedicated to Hripsime and Gayane. At the end of their lives, they withdrew to separate retreats, dedicating themselves to the Lord. Reflection: The witness of many people, through their words and deeds, all inspired King Drtad’s decision to choose Christ. These include Sts. Hripsime, and Gayane, St. Gregory, Queen Ashkhen, and Drtad’s sister Khosrovitookht. How do you witness to your faith through words and deeds? Who has done that for you?

       Department of Christian Education Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern) elisea@armeniandiocese

^“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Tim 2:8). Prayers are requested for the families of the soldiers killed in the 44-day Artsakh war, the soldiers who are struggling through catastrophic injuries suffered, and those who are still being held as prisoners of war all these months later; Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Alice Charles, Leslie Movsesian, Larry Grocott and Doris Alahverde.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

– PETER LAMARRA (7th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested by his mother, Barbara Papazian and Family.
– ROBERT (BOBBY) SARKISIAN (6^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory by his wife Mary Sarkisian and sister Mary Parnagian.

 COUNTRY STORE IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS:  We are well stocked in our store and invite you to come in after church most Sundays or place an order for pickup with Lorraine Damerjian @ 215-572-8465. 

Adult Christian Education (ACE) Upcoming Programs

June 24 – Book Club: “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, Dn. Armen Terjimanian, Facilitator
We invite you to join us by contacting nancybasmajian@verizon.net for further information or to sign up and receive the link for any or all of these programs.

DIVINE LITURGY IN YOUR HOME

Since we do not stream services at our church every week, we invite you to click on one of the following links to partake of Badarak at any of the following:

https://www.facebook.com/SSSMAAC/live/ (St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church)
http://www.stleon.org (St Leon Live Stream)
https://www.facebook.com/stvartancathedral (St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral)
http://www.holy-martyrs.org (Holy Martyrs Live Stream)

The Armenian Sisters Academy, Radnor PA. Has an immediate opening for a full-time toddler care teacher. If interested, please contact Doreen Yeremian. 6106134733

ASA OPEN HOUSE: Interested in finding out more about ASA for your child?
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you, answer any questions and guide your family through the admissions process. Though our campus is open, due to safety concerns in light of COVID-19 we are unable to welcome visitors to campus during school hours. We have transitioned our spring open house and tours into virtual zoom/phone meetings as well as after-hours tours. Email Legna Santerian at lsanterian@asaphila.org to schedule a tour – just for your family!

We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the Armenian Sisters Academy!
Check out our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wevb1U3tAnI
Legna