THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 18, 2016

Fourth Sunday of Advent

St. James of Nisibis

St. James, a Syrian monk and first cousin of St. Gregory, was appointed bishop of the Christian city Nisibis in Mesopotamia in 308 A.D. According to his disciple, St. Ephraem, James founded the basilica and theological School of Nisibis. Additionally, he was recorded as a signatory for the canons produced at the first of three ecumenical councils accepted by the Armenian Church.

St. James is also known for his divine vision on Mount Ararat, where he found the sacred relic of Noah’s Ark and brought it to the Armenian people.

According to tradition, while St. James preached in and around Nisibis, he heard that people doubted the story of Noah’s Ark. He was determined to provide his flock with evidence, so he set out on a journey to the top of Mount Ararat to find the remains of the ark.

Some time into his journey, before reaching his destination, he felt tired and decided to stop and rest before moving forward. After he continued on his journey, he took a second break. However, when he awoke, he found himself in the spot that he originally chose as his resting place. He continued on his journey, yet he encountered the same phenomenon for seven years. Nevertheless, James carried forward, relying on his faith to see him to the end of his journey.

One day, while he slept, an angel appeared to him in a vision and brought him a piece of the wood from Noah’s Ark. The angel told him that he could not see any more of the ark, but that the wooden remnant would be proof enough for the naysayers.

The relic of Noah’s Ark received by St. James is currently in possession of Holy Etchmiadzin.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Hebrews 1: 1-14 (page 196) New Testament
• Luke 17: 1-10 (page 73) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Karasoonk (40th Day memorial Service) today will be for:

• JANICE BOYAJIAN PINKERTON requested by the Boyajian, Pinkerton and Rider Families on the 40th day of Her eternal life.

Hokehankist today will be for:

• ARNOLD & PATRICIA PECKJIAN, DR. MICHAEL & SHONOREG HINTLIAN, OSKAN & ELMAS HAROOTUNIAN, PETER & VICTORIA PECKJIAN, RICHARD PECKJIAN and HARRY & VIRGINIA HINTLIAN requested by the Peckjian Family.
• VAHAN KARAKHANYAN, KIMA KARAKHANYAN, ARAMAIS KARAKHANYAN, VANIK KARAKHANYAN, EDWARD HOVHANNISYAN, MUSHEGH HOVHANNISYAN & SEDA GASPARYAN requested by the Hovhannisyan Family. – ANDRANIK HACIKIAN and SAHAK MARGARIAN requested by Vartouhi Hacikian.

PRAYERS: “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” (2 Chronicles 6:40) Praying is as vital to a faith community as breathing. It is one of the ways in which we communicate with God. We ask you to pray for those among who are facing medical difficulties: Ed Zarzatian, Jr., Albert Santerian, Virginia Shakarjian, and Anita Mirijanian. Please also pray for the unrest that is not only in faraway places but in our own country as well.

ALTAR FLOWERS: are donated today by Florence Boyajian in loving memory of JANICE BOYAJIAN PINKERTON on the 40th day of Her eternal life.

ALTAR CANDLES: are donated by Larry and Jeanette Der Hagopian and family in loving remembrance of their parents/grandparents, Ann and Deran Chopoorian.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is sponsored today by her Family and the Chorag Team in loving memory of JANICE BOYAJIAN PINKERTON on the 40th day of Her eternal life. All are welcome.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is also being sponsored by the Hovhannisyan Family in memory of their loved ones for whom Hokehankist was offered today.

Vanadzor is the old age home in Armenia and it can use financial help from us. The Ladies of Holy Trinity have again placed a container in the Nartex for your loose change. We will accept your loose change every Sunday until Armenian Christmas. Your donations will be sent to Armenia soon thereafter. We appreciate your support & generosity.

ACYOA, Jr. Non-perishable Food Drive: The ACYOA Jrs. are collecting non-perishable foods for a local food pantry now through the month of December. At the end of the food drive they will personally deliver the collection to the food pantry.

Schedule on (Traditional ) Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
On Sunday, December 25th, Badarak will begin promptly at 10 am and end by 11:30 am; there will be no Fellowship Hour that day. This will enable everyone to get home in time to begin their Christmas celebration with their families.

On Sunday, January 1, 2017, Badarak will begin at the usual time – 10:30 am – followed by a brief Pomegranate Blessing Service. In the Armenian tradition, the pomegranate as a national symbol reflects the meaning of life, prosperity and abundance. In the Christian symbolism the pomegranate represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ, symbolizing also the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and the diversity of God’s grace. In the interpretations of our church fathers, the pomegranate is presented that the church members are as diverse as the granules of the pomegranate but the pomegranate is covered by a solid peel, all being united in one Church. This blessing should be conducted within thirty minutes of the new year. However, for the sake of convenience, we will be conducting this thanksgiving service following Badarak on this day. Join us as we begin the New Year in the best place to be!

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.

200 CLUB News from the Men’s Club – Latest 200 CLUB News from the Men’s Club – There are just two (2) tickets remaining for the “200 CLUB” raffle. Contact Larry DerHagopian or Mick Paretchan after church if you haven’t already purchased a ticket or would like an additional ticket! ***We would like to have our first drawing on Dec 18th.*** A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight months of drawings, with five tickets drawn each month. Keep in mind that there will be $10,000 in prize money distributed between this November and next June, so don’t miss the opportunity!

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

• Thursday January 5th: Armenian Christmas Eve 7:00 pm followed by House Blessing: Please bring food to share during the fellowship hour
• Friday January 6th: Armenian Christmas Service 10:30 am
• Sunday January 8th: Service 10:30 am followed by Blessing of the Water

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.