THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 6, 2017

Paregentan of the Fast of the Assumption

200 Fathers of the Holy Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)

The Ecumenical Council of Ephesus was convened in 431 A. D., during the reign of the King Theodosius Small. 200 Pontiffs participated in the Council with the goal to criticize the false teaching of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople. According to his teaching there were two independent – divine and human natures in Christ, contrasting each other. Nestorius preached that Christ was born as a simple man and only later Divinity was settled in His Person, and therefore, the Holy Virgin Mary was not Godmother, but the mother of a simple man.

The Ecumenical Council of Ephesus condemns the teaching of Nestorius and adopts the teaching of St. Cyril of Alexandria as an orthodox teaching, according to which the divine and human natures of Christ do not exist separately, but are united unmixedly, without confusion – one Lord, one Jesus, one face and one united divine and human nature. St. Mary is not the mother of a simple man, but she is Godmother as she gave birth to the Son of God. So, the formulation of St. Cyril of Alexandria: “One is the nature of the Incarnate Word of God” was adopted.

The Armenian Church has not participated in that Ecumenical Council but has adopted its resolutions and ecumenical authority together with the previous Ecumenical Councils.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• 1 Corinthians 13: 11-14:5 (page 159) New Testament
• Mark 2: 1-12 (pages 32-33) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

– Diramayr Hripsime Ayvazian, Shnorhig Donigian and Arousiag Kelyan (1st Anniversary); Haroutioun Ayvazian (25th Anniversary); and Hovhannes Donigian, Garbis Kelyan and Yeznig & Maxime Torossian in loving memory requested by Alice and Karnig Torossian.

ALTAR CANDLES: are donated today by Alice and Karnig Torossian in loving memory of Diramayr Hripsime Ayvazian, Shnorhig Donigian and Arousiag Kelyan (1st Anniversary); Haroutioun Ayvazian (25th Anniversary); and Hovhannes Donigian, Garbis Kelyan and Yeznig & Maxime Torossian

Our Prayers Are Powerful. Let us emulate St. Paul, who said, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph 1:16). Pray especially for Albert Santerian, Hagop Arzoumanian, Doris Alahverde, Alyce Jilajian and John Arslanian. For those who are struggling with illness, hardship and grief, let us remember them in prayer. Continue to pray for the injustice and inhumanity that continues in the world. Indeed, our prayers are powerful.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Our “Pot Luck Coffee Hour” has been a success thanks to the many people who have brought in refreshments for the buffet table to share with our church family and it will continue through Labor Day. The church will continue to provide the coffee but we are going to rely on those who wish to enjoy refreshments with their coffee and chat with friends to please bring something for the buffet table (enough to serve 8 people), either homemade or store bought. A donation basket will be put out for those who are unable to bring refreshments. This “Pot-Luck” idea was conceived in order to relieve the burden of the same few people making sure that we have refreshments every Sunday. We hope you will take this opportunity to share your bounty with our church family on these Sundays.

Blessing of the Grapes: This year the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God will take place on Sunday, August 13. Anyone wishing to make a donation toward grapes should contact the church office no later than August 8.

FAR Spotlight: A clinical investigation into the poor health among Tavush Province’s children ages six months to six years revealed malnutrition as the main cause. The Breaking the cycle of Poverty Program (BCPP) worked to develop a balanced nutrition program to combat malnutrition. Currently 557 children, ages two to six, in 15 kindergartens in Tavush Province receive nutritious meals throughout the year. Follow up evaluations show improved health conditions among the program’s children. To learn more about FAR, its mission and programs, please visit http://farusa.org .

ATTENTION GRADUATES – We want YOU to be included in the next issue of the Looys! Anyone wishing to submit a write-up and/or picture should send to looys@holytrinity-pa.org by August 15th. Pictures should be submitted in high resolution color. Write-up should be in WORD format and should include: institution from which you were graduated; degree; future plans; other details of importance; and names of parents. Optional information can include activities in which you were involved, especially at church. Any questions can be directed to Jeanette at 215-206-0440 or choirboss@hotmail.com.

MEN’S CLUB NEWS “200 CLUB” – Raffle Tickets for the upcoming 2017-18 season are now available. A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight (8) monthly drawings, with five winners drawn each month. Your ticket number could be a winner more than once this coming season! The first drawing will take place in November 2017 and the last in June 2018. Prizes range from $100 to $1,000 and your chance of winning is much better than the Lottery! See Larry DerHagopian or Mick Paretchan after church service today.

A GENTLE REMINDER – We wish to remind our parishioners that, by order of the Fire Department, no parking is allowed in the Fire Lane, which is the area next to the lawn and the building in the parking lot. In addition, we have noticed cars who have no handicapped placard or identifying license plate parked in the handicapped spaces, especially behind the building, We ask for your courtesy in respecting the rules and leaving the handicapped spaces for those who truly need them.

ATTIC TREASURES: If you’re cleaning out your closets, we would greatly appreciate donations of your CLEAN & UNDAMAGED gently used items to be sold at the Attic Treasures table during the Harvest Bazaar. No toys, clothing or books (except cookbooks). Desired items are jewelry, women’s accessories, housewares, small furnishings, and more, more, more. Attic treasures can be left in the 1st room on the right down the Sunday School hall. Call Ayshe Chakmaklian for more info. at 610-828-2411. If you need a New Jersey pick up call Grace Meranshian at 856-217-9333.

MEN’S CLUB NEWS “200 CLUB” – Raffle Tickets for the upcoming 2017-18 season are now available. A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight (8) monthly drawings, with five winners drawn each month. Your ticket number could be a winner more than once this coming season! The first drawing will take place in November 2017 and the last in June 2018. Prizes range from $100 to $1,000 and your chance of winning is much better than the Lottery! See Larry DerHagopian or Mick Paretchan after church service today.

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.

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

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
August

• Aug 13 — Feast of Assumption – Blessing of Grapes

September

• Sept 10 Church School Registration
• Sept 17 Jerusalem: Restoring the Tomb
• Sept 19 The Art of Interfaith Understanding (Art Museum tour)
• Sept 24 A Journey to Historic Armenia (Rev. Flora Keshgegian)

October

• Oct 1 Instructed Liturgy & Dn. Albert Book Reception
• Oct 15 Inter-communal Program
• Oct 20 Growing Up Armenian in the Diaspora
• Oct 27-29 Harvest Bazaar

November

• Nov 5 The Divine Liturgy: A Simultaneous Translation
• Nov 12 Godparents Sunday

December

• Dec 10 Honoring Our Pastor
• Dec 17 Breakfast with Santa
• Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday

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.

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.

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.