THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
May 26, 2024

Remembrance of the Prophet Elijah

There will be no Divine Liturgy. Today’s service will be a Deacon Only Service. Prayers for safe travels for our Der Hayr

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

1 Kings 18:29-46 Elijah’s prayer to God brings rain after a long drought, whereas the prayers of Baal’s prophets prove futile. This ‘contest’ is spectacular: 850 pagan prophets against the one prophet Elijah of the one God Yahweh. Discuss/reflect: Where is the one true God competing with the false gods in your life?

2 Kings 2:1-15 The prophet Elijah continues to remind his protégé Elisha that God would soon be taking his master from him. When Elijah is taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot, he drops his cloak to the ground. Elisha picks it up, taps the nearby Jordan river with it, and the water parts for him. God’s spirit had descended now upon Elijah’s pupil. Discuss/reflect: Have you ever had the mantle of leadership passed on to you? What quality of your mentor did you value most?

James 5:16-20 In these concluding verses of James’ epistle, he advises his listeners to confess to and pray for each other, as the “prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” He cites Elijah as a man whose prayers were indeed effective. Discuss/reflect: Have you ever helped someone make a better, more God-pleasing decision?  Consider the far-reaching consequences!

Luke 4: 25-30 Jesus is in a synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. To the congregation’s amazement, he famously dF@ith2023eclares that no prophet is accepted in his hometown. He cites the examples of the prophets Elijah and Elisha whose healings were more readily accepted by non-Jews. So angered by this, the people drive him to the edge of a cliff to throw him down; but Jesus manages to leave them peacefully. Discuss/reflect: Perhaps we have more in common with this congregation of two thousand years ago than we think. Is there anything about what Jesus teaches that makes you so uncomfortable you would rather drive him out of your life?

Today is the Remembrance of the Prophet Elijah

Tomorrow, St. Hripsime and her companions

St. Hripsime and the community of nuns traveling with her (led by St. Gayane) are the unsung heroines of the Christianization of Armenia. Fleeing persecution from the Emperor Diocletian in the late 3^rd century AD, they escaped to Armenia and settled in Vagharshapat. King Drtad himself then pursued the beautiful Hripsime only to be rebuffed by the devout young woman. The 5^th century historian Agathangelos recorded her story along with St. Gregory’s, vividly describing the physical battle between her and the king. In his new book, Women Too Were Blessed: The Portrayal of Women in Early Armenian Christian Texts, scholar David Zakarian speaks of the fight as significant on two levels: Christian virtue and faith overpowering paganism and a powerless young woman physically defeating a tyrannical king. In the renowned icon (a copy of which adorns a side altar in the St. Nersess Seminary chapel), Hripsime is depicted as triumphant and glorified. What one rarely notices is how she tramples upon the head of King Drtad who brandishes a useless sword. One of the first things St. Gregory did was build shrines over the relics of the fallen Hripsime and Gayane and their fellow nuns. Two churches in their names stand near Holy Etchmiadzin to this day. Reflection: Pray for these beloved saints, grateful for the heroic martyrdom that inspired a nation’s faith.

Attention Graduates! – Looking for graduates to be included in an upcoming issue of the LOOYS (all levels). We invite you to submit your own details for inclusion. 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 July 30, 2024.

Fund for Armenian Relief – Bringing English to the Regions
Ինչքան լեզու գիտես, այդքան մարդ ես։ “You are as many people as the languages you know.” 26-year-old Lilit has always been passionate about English. When she graduated from Yerevan’s linguistic university during the pandemic, she moved back home to the region of Berd and reached out to our Diocesan organization Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) to make her dream of opening a language school come true. She was quickly and pleasantly overwhelmed with interest from 7-year-old to retirees. From lively discussions and interactive group activities to thought-provoking quizzes and immersive English movie screenings, Lilit ensures that her students remain engaged and make progress as they learn the language that will open doors for them. Since 2013, FAR has steadfastly supported communities in Armenia’s eastern Tavush region through the “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” program that is made possible by support from the Mardigian Family Foundation. To help drive change in border villages, please consider donating to FAR today: www.farusa.org

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.

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.

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.

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

May 29        Bible Study with Rev. Fr. Hakob
May 27        Memorial Day
Jun 02        Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin
Jun 16        Father’s Day
Jul 04         Independence Day
Jul 07         Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord