THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 10, 2025

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 – We Honor And Pray For These Souls 

Hokehankist Today Will Be For 

Kimma A. Avagimova on the 1^st Anniversary of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by the family.

 Agape Hour – Please join us for fellowship and good conversation following Badarak today 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 Agape Hour.

Violence Against Women!  We invite our faithful to join us on Assumption Sunday, August 17^th for an eye-opening presentation on domestic violence in Armenia. Our speaker, Philadelphia native Ani Jilozian, who serves as the Director of Development at the Women’s Support Center in Armenia, will share the important work being done by the organization to combat, treat and prevent violence against women and children. Ani will speak to us following Badarak and a special Agape Fellowship. (08/17)

Discover the Beauty of the Armenian Language! – Learn Eastern Armenian with Mariam, a native speaker, through engaging and personalized classes that focus on the alphabet, vocabulary, cultural insights, and practical communication. Sign up now and start your Armenian language journey with Mariam! For more information, please contact Mariam via Email at marpoghosyan17@gmail.com or call her at 445-256-3966.

Ladies of Holy Trinity August Regional Socials
These events are open to both women and men!! Join us for one or all events this August:

• August 14th EVENING- 6:30pm Armenian Cooking Class at Cafe POM in Paoli, PA ($40/pp)- Maximum of 12 people – Learn to make Armenian recipes and take home what you make! BYOB
• August 21st DAYTIME- 11:30am Indian King Tavern Museum (free admission) followed by 12:15pm Lunch ($) at Umile Trattoria in Haddonfield NJ*
• August 28th DAYTIME- 11:00am Wharton Esherick Museum ($22/pp for museum tour) followed by 12:30pm Lunch ($) at Cafe POM in Paoli, PA*

DEADLINE IS TODAY – RSVP for All Events by August 10^th to WG@holytrinity-pa.org
* You may choose to attend only the lunch at each daytime event if you wish. Please indicate which event(s) you will be attending and if you plan to attend only lunch on the daytime outings. We hope you will join us!

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 for the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For more information, please contact Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Paregentan of the Fast of Assumption
Art & Biblical Meditation
Our Adult Christian Education (ACE) ministry is pleased to announce the IN PERSON second session mini-workshop on looking at art from a Biblical and meditative perspective. Led by Leslie Movsesian. The second session (30-40 minutes) will follow Badarak today

Aug 17        Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-Of-God (Grapes Blessing)
Aug 17        Program on the Women’s Support Center in Armenia
Sep 01         Labor Day – Church Office Closed
Sep 14         Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sep 18         Zoom Book Club
Sep 21         Armenian Independence Day
Sep 28         Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak