THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 11, 2024

We are sending extra prayers for Der Hayr, Yn Anna, the entire family and others as they travel back to the U.S. and Holy Trinity This weekend

Paregentan of the Fast of Assumption

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Mark 2:1-12 Four friends of a paralyzed man, unable to get through the crowds in a home where Jesus is teaching, lower him from a hole in the roof so that he might be healed. By first forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus is boldly declaring His divinity since God alone can forgive sin; such forgiveness better reveals His identity as the Son of God than do the miracles He performs. This spiritual healing is immediately followed by a physical cure: the man rises up and walks. Discuss/reflect: Notable in this story is the determined action of four men to bring their friend to Jesus for healing. No obstacle deterred them. Has the strong faith of others ever helped you grow closer to God? How might your committed faith help someone else experience spiritual healing?

1 Corinthians 13:11-14:5 St. Paul has already outlined the need for us to discern our spiritual gifts so that we might serve the common good and affirmed that without love none of these gifts are effective. Here he reminds us that we are like children until we mature spiritually: only then will we see that love outlasts even those things that seemingly endure forever such as faith and hope. In praising prophecy over the gift of tongues, he praises that gift which serves others rather than one’s self. Discuss/reflect: In what ways do you think you talk, think, and reason like a child (v.11) when it comes to God?

Isaiah 7:1-9 Facing an impending attack from their enemies, the people of Judah were filled with fear (v.2). God instructs Isaiah to tell their king Ahaz to have courage and be firm in his faith for “Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!” (v. 9) Discuss/reflect: What situation are you facing that frightens you now? What makes it difficult for you to trust God for strength and guidance?

Saturday, August 17, is the Feast of Shoghagat

Shoghagat might best be translated in a phrase: “rays of light descending as droplets from heaven.” The term and the Feast Day derive from St. Gregory’s vision as recorded in the 5^th century history by Agathangelos. In that account, we read how King Drtad and the nobles fasted and repented, listening attentively to St. Gregory’s every word as he taught them the long history of God’s plan of salvation for humankind. He shared a momentous vision he had seen: of light flowing to the earth, of Jesus striking the ground with a golden hammer, angels, thunderous sounds as the firmaments opened and springs gushed forth, columns of cloud and fire. It was on that site that he understood he was to build a Cathedral (Etchmiadzin, lit. “where the Only-Begotten descended) and chapels to Sts. Hripsime, Gayane, and their sister nuns. Since the Mother Cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary, the feast is always observed on the Saturday preceding the Assumption.

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 greeting 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.

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.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

Fran Torcomian on the 6th Anniversary of her eternal rest requested in loving memory by the Torcomian and Karagiannis Families

Coffee Hour – All are invited. Please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners. Please feel free to bring other treats to share during coffee hour.

Blessing of the Grapes: This year the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God will take place on Sunday, August 18^th.

Bringing Water (and Hope!) to Berkaber

The beautiful village of Berkaber is located in Armenia’s far eastern Tavush region. Its name directly translates to “bring the harvest,” and that’s just what the villagers are doing thanks to their new irrigation system! FAR, along with the Pan-Armenian Fund, supported the community with the initial investment to apply for a government grant to install the vital infrastructure. Robert Aghamyan, who used to rely on animal husbandry for income, has been able to transform his 3,000 square meters of land—just 500 meters from Azeri military posts—into his main source of livelihood. “Last year, we planted 9 kg of green peas and harvested 100 kg. That was amazing,” he shares. Prior to the irrigation system, Robert and his wife Taguhi had no plans or intention to cultivate the land, simply because there was no way to water it. “Two years ago, it was just grass… We plowed the land for the first time last year, and the first harvest was excellent.” Over the years, FAR has invested in community projects that create essential infrastructure for economic development in Tavush villages through the Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program (BCPP). These initiatives have profoundly impacted the daily lives and future prospects of the villagers. Read more here: https://www.farusa.org/post/new-irrigation-system-sparks-orchard-boom-in-berkaber

Last Call for Graduates! – Graduates will be included the in the next issue of the LOOYS (all levels). Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement (church or school), and future plans (further education/work/other). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if possible. Everything should be sent to choirboss@hotmail.com by August 18, 2024.

AYO – Spring is here and Ayo! has just launched its new project “Put Down Roots.” In partnership with the Yerevan Botanical Gardens, the project aims to create an educational-therapeutic horticulture space to provide opportunities for forcibly displaced children (and others) to get their hands dirty, de-stress and learn about the environment! Once built, this special section of the botanical gardens will be available for children and youth for years to come. You can directly support the initiative here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/.

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.

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 at 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.

Aug 18        Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-Of-God (Grapes Blessing)
Aug 18        The Transgenerational Effects of Genocide – A presentation recommended for youth groups
Sep 02         Labor Day – Church Office Closed
Sep 15         Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sep 19         Zoom Book Club Returns (see flyer in narthex)
Sep 21         Armenian Independence Day
Sep 29         Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak