THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday (Dzaghgazart)

This day recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. He is greeted by throngs of people laying their cloaks and palm branches on the road before him as a royal carpet of welcome. Matthew understood the event as the fulfillment of specific prophecies, including Zechariah 9:9 (today’s reading). Therefore, for many gathered, this was the entrance of the Messiah and conformed fully to Old Testament prophecy and Jewish expectations. Yet how poorly the crowd understood the nature of the kingdom and the king they were welcoming since not long afterwards their “Hosannas!” turned to  the jeering shouts of “Crucify him!”

The service of the Opening of the Doors is also held on Palm Sunday, during which the priest and people pray for entry once again into God’s presence. The term Dzaghgazart (“adorned with flowers”) may refer to an older pagan feast. Discuss/reflect: In Matthew 21:10 we read that “when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked: “Who is this?” Has he entered your heart? Are you prompted to know more about who He is?

From Today’s Scripture Readings

Matthew 20:29-21:17 The healing of the two blind men is a poignant prelude to the story of Jesus’ triumphal arrsival in Jerusalem (see below). The two persist in loudly declaring their faith despite the crowd’s rebuke. Upon being healed by their Lord, they follow him. The passage continues with the Palm Sunday story (21:1-11) and the account of Jesus driving the moneychangers from the Temple. Discuss/reflect: If Jesus said to you (as he did to the blind men) “what do you want me to do for you?” how would you answer?

Philippians 4:4-7 In a letter overflowing with the joy of knowing Jesus, St. Paul sums it all up in these few verses: Rejoice in the Lord, know that he is near, be gentle with everyone, don’t worry about a thing, pray your gratitude, and God’s peace will guard your heart in Christ Jesus.

Discuss/reflect: Personalize verse 7 and memorize it: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Pray this throughout the day.

Zechariah 9:9-15 Set in the context of the Jews’ return from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, Zechariah looks expectantly to when God will transform his people into a holy nation. In these verses, we see a striking prophecy of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem “gentle and riding on a donkey.” Discuss/reflect: What images of peace and restoration can you identify in verses 9-10? Why a donkey (v.9; see Matthew 21:5 ) and not a warhorse?

Men’s Club News – The March drawing for the 200 Club was completed 3/10/2024. Please visit the HTAC Web site and click on Men’s Club for details on the winners.

Fellowship on Easter Sunday – As we celebrate and rejoice this Easter, we look to simplify our Coffee Hour. We will only provide coffee and tea.  We invite our parishioners to bring anything they would like to share on the Coffee Hour table.

Additionally, we will be having our Easter Eve Fellowship which will follow Badarak that begins @ 6pm on the evening of March 30^th. We will also conduct the traditional Home Blessing service in Santerian Hall.  We hope you will join us and invite you to bring an offering of food that will be shared among everyone, which is as though our own Easter meal is being blessed.

Easter Egg Sale – Please donate one dozen cooked and decorated/colored eggs for our Easter Egg Sale. Your donated eggs can be dropped of Holy Week or Sunday Morning to be place in the kitchen refrigerator. Contact Tanya Paretchan at 215-530-7847 with questions.

Purple and the Robe of Christ – Join us, via ZOOM, on Friday evening, March 22 at 7:00, as our Church School Superintendent, Leslie Movsesian, takes a look at the color of the Lenten season. She will guide us through the Scriptures on the events leading up to the sentencing of Jesus Christ and share a few pieces of art which depict those events. To receive the Zoom link, contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

Armenian Sisters Academy – The 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.

Armenian Sisters Academy – In love with Golf? Come out, play, and support ASA! This year ASA’s Spring Scramble will once again take place at the beautiful Philmont Country Club located in Huntingdon Valley on Monday June 3rd. Join us for an exciting day of golf including delicious food, refreshing cocktails, fun raffles, cool prizes and more! Take advantage of the early bird pricing of $200 player if you sign up by 3/31.  For registration and more information visit us online at www.asascramble.com.

Stay Connected with our New Church Portal – Over 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 @ 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~~~~~~~~~~

Palm Sunday Banquet
     Immediately following Badarak – ACYOA is sponsoring the Banquet – No tickets will be sold at the door
Mar 27 – No Bible Study This Wednesday
Mar 28 – Holy Thursday
Mar 29 – Holy Friday
Mar 30 – Easter Eve and Fellowship
Mar 31 – Easter Sunday
Apr 14 – Armenian Tree Project Presentation – During coffee hour

Palms & Flowers

Armenoui Aznavuryan
Vlad Bagdasarian
Paul G. Bogosian in memory of Armand Bogosian
Florence Boyajian
Albert Dandegian, Jr.
Gary & Sue DerHagopian
Donna Hagopian and Ashley Marshall in memory of George Hagopian
Michael & Lynn Hajatian
Ronald A. Kashkashian in memory of Arsen, Katerine, Ardelle, Arsen Jr., John & Nicholas Kashkashian
Arousiag Keshishian from Grace and Lenna Vartanian
Karen Kirakozov
Brenda LeCompte
Jan D. Mirijanian in memory of John Diran Mirijanian
Azlen Theobald in memory of Bedros Oskanian
Mary Yeretzian in memory of Berj and Edward Yeretzian