THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 1, 2019

Second Sunday of Advent

Commemoration of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew, the first preachers of Christianity in Armenia

Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew were two of the twelve Apostles of Christ, who came to Armenia and preached Christianity in Armenia deserving the title “the first illuminators”. Still at the dawn of Christianity they were martyred in Armenia. It was the result of their preaching and martyrdom that the Armenian people, being the first nation in the world, proclaimed Christianity as the state religion. Indeed, Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew played an important role in the history of 2000-year-old Christian Armenian nation which has unshaken faith and keen love towards its Mother Church.

Each year a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the memory of St. Apostles.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

1Thessalonians 4: 1-11 (pages 185-186) New Testament
Luke 13: 1-9 (page 69) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 36: 22-37: 11 (pages 712-713) Old Testament

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

– ALBERT SANTERIAN (1st Anniversary of His eternal life) requested by Linda Santerian, Harry & Valerie and David & Alyssa.
– ARAM AVEDIS AGHAZARIAN (2nd Anniversary of His eternal life) requested by Lucy, Aram Alan & Lori Aghazarian.

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night…”(Nehemiah 1:5-6). Prayers are requested for Rose Minassian, Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Jan Mirijanian, Mary Yeretzian, Merle Santerian, Alice Charles, Armen Mirakian and Pearl Jamgochian. We also give thanks to God for the long-awaited Resolution of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which was unanimously voted on in the United States House of Representatives within the last week. May the souls of all the martyred victims of the Genocide now rest in peace.

NEW COMMUNION PROCEDURE – Before gathering for confession, please allow time for the Choir Members to come down and join us before we begin.

ALTAR FLOWERS & CANDLES are donated today by Linda Santerian, Harry & Valerie and David & Alyssa in loving memory of ALBERT SANTERIAN (1st Anniversary of His eternal life).

COFFEE HOUR TODAY – is sponsored today by Linda Santerian, Harry & Valerie and David & Alyssa in loving memory of ALBERT SANTERIAN (1st Anniversary of His eternal life). All are welcome.

Did you know that when we participate in Soorp Badarak (Divine Liturgy), we are also being invited to a meal (communion) offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As such, we should dress in a manner worthy of that invitation. We ask our faithful to dress appropriately for worship. Please, no very short dresses, shorts or bare shoulders. Thank you.

Save the Date: Sunday December 8th for breakfast and a visit by Santa in the hall. Adults and unregistered children 11 and older are $10.00, unregistered children 4-10 are 6.00 and church school students & children under 3 are free. Reservations are a MUST by 12/1/19. Everyone is welcome!

An Advent Drive: Armenians in Northern Syria are in urgent need of our help–under brutal Turkish assault, they have been driven from their homes. There is dire need for food, clothing and other necessities as they repatriate to Armenia. The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) is asking for our assistance. During the Sundays of Advent, our ACYOA Juniors, partnering with our Adult Christian Education ministry, will be taking donations during Coffee Fellowship. We ask our community to respond by being generous during this most blessed of seasons. Christ is born and revealed. Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

REMINDER: According to the Diocesan Bylaws, membership dues are to be paid no later than December 31st each year in order to be a member in “good standing” and to be eligible to vote at the annual assembly. Any monies received after that date will be applied to the new year. For any questions regarding your status, please call the church office.

HELP WANTED: Jan Mirijanian is looking for someone who can cook and do light house keeping 3 days a week in the South Jersey area. If interested contact him at 856-848-1504 or cell 856-295-3119.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

December
Sunday Dec 8 Breakfast with Santa: Reservations due 12/1
Thursday-Sunday Dec 12-15 Jr. Choir, Sr. Choir and Deacon Workshops with Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian
Sunday Dec 29 Pomegranate Sunday

January
Sunday Jan 5 Theophany Eve 3:00PM Liturgy, Christmas Pageant and Fellowship
Monday Jan 6 Feast of Theophany 10:30 AM Liturgy
Sunday Jan 12 Blessing of the Water

2019 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:

November
3 – 82 people $504.00
10 – 94 people $486.00
17 – 82 people $567.00
24 – 90 people $525.00
Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

FAR UPDATE: After FAR Training, One Artsakh Doctor More Equipped to Assist Children with Diabetes – Dr. Shogher Grigoryan, a pediatric endocrinologist from Artsakh, recently completed her second experience with FAR’s Continuing Medical Education Program (CME) when she spent a month working with doctors at Muratsan Medical Center in Yerevan. CME focuses on maintaining and developing knowledge, skills and relationships through month-long trainings for regional doctors to ensure competent practice in the future. “It’s hard to work with children with diabetes because you don’t just work with the patient but also their family. Therefore, building and maintaining trust and honesty with patients is essential,” she said. Dr. Grigoryan wanted to learn more about insulin pump therapy, which is rare in Artsakh. The pump is attached to the patient’s body and provides them with a steady stream of insulin, which diminishes the need for them to have frequent injections. This training will help her to precisely diagnose which patients really need the pump and then direct them to Yerevan for surgery. In a couple of years, she expects her own medical center to be able to provide this treatment directly.To read more, go to: https://farusa.org/2019/11/22/cme-after-cme-training-artsakh-doctor-to-better-assist-children-with-diabetes/ To support FAR, go to: http://www.farusa.org/donate

NEW IN BOOKSTORE: With pride, we are pleased to announce “Acoustic Armenia,” a CD by a devoted member of the Holy Trinity family, Karinné Andonian. The music of this album is meant to revere the spirit of Armenian music. The Armenian heart has always sung, and here it sings simply and organically, intending to bring a sense of togetherness and home just as it was when it was created generations ago. Available in Bookstore $12.

Using the Pew Book: In order to enrich understanding of the Divine Liturgy, we encourage our faithful to follow along in the large two-part Pew Book. Part One includes the classical Armenian used in the Liturgy; the facing page is the translation in modern Western Armenian. Part Two contains the transliteration of the classical Armenian; the right-hand page has the English translation. This Pew Book includes the prayers of the celebrant usually offered inaudibly. The prayers offered aloud are indicated in boldface type.

THE NICENE CREED/ HAVADAMK – This is the Profession of our Faith which is often sung after the Gospel is read from the altar. Occasionally, it will be 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.

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 Jeanette Der Hagopian at 215-672-4188.

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

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.