THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
March 1, 2026

2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1 – Living up to God’s grace: The passage urges readers not to “receive the grace of God in vain”. This means living a life worthy of God’s undeserved favor, characterized by patience, purity, and perseverance through hardship.

Luke 15:1-32 – These passages remind us that sinners are welcome and celebrated by God who actively seeks the lost and rejoices when they return. Repentance brings forgiveness and restoration to relationship with God.

Isaiah 54:11-55:13 – These passages offer a message of hope for those facing suffering or hardship. It emphasizes God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, and power to restore and redeem.

We can learn from the prodigal son. Out of a desire to be independent or autonomous, what happens when we depart from who and what we were created to be, i.e. children of our Father in communion with him? Sin is not merely a transgression of rules, but a condition, a disease in which symptoms include preferring things to ultimately fulfill us other than God, thus alienating us from him, whatever those distractions may be. We leave God’s care in all kinds of ways, finding whatever cheap substitute. We can all create our own list. But there is hope. The beginning of the victory over sin, the victory over death, is Christ’s death. At the Cross, Jesus “trampled down death by death,” and Badarak is a proclamation of this victory.

Christianity is proclamation and a celebration, a confluence of penance and thanksgiving. Salvation has been accomplished, and Christ restored us back to what he originally created us to be – in loving communion with him. So how do we respond? We give thanks and celebrate. He led us back to the Garden to feed from the Tree of Life – his own Body and Blood, not as a magic pill that cleanses us from our bad deeds, but for healing and restoration of our diseased condition of sin, that which draws us away from the eternal life and bliss we enjoy as children of “Our Father.”

In Badarak, the people of God recall, proclaim for themselves, celebrate, and give thanks for the mystery of our salvation already accomplished by Christ. Like the father in the parable, our Father has gifted us with a ring, the symbol of family identity and adoption:

And a robe, a symbol of righteousness granted by baptism:

Is that reason enough to celebrate and eat at the Table provided by the Father who sent his only Son to heal the world of sin and lead us back to the Garden? So, arrive on time! Don’t be late for the party! Let’s celebrate what’s been done for us out of the Father’s inexhaustible love. We have been lost and now we are found! We were dead and have been made alive!

The parable leaves us with a question that forces us to look at ourselves, individually and as a parish community. The older brother in the parable refused to celebrate, refused the invitation of his father, claiming his father never threw this kind of celebration for him. The father simply tells the son that everything he owns is also his, but there is a time to celebrate: when someone who has been lost is found, when someone who was dead is now alive. The younger, prodigal son wasn’t living his faith the way he should, but eventually returned home. All of us, of course, are like him. But in what ways are we like the older son? What does it say about us if we are not celebrating the way we should?

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 (Page 18 in New Divine Liturgy Book) – 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.

Agape Hour Today – All are invited, long time parishioners, new members, and first-time visitors, please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners and Der Hayr. Agape hour begins when Der Hayr blesses the table.

Annual Parish Assembly – RESCHEDULED for Sunday March 8, 2026.

ASA Scholarship Applications Now Open – The Armenian Students’ Association of America (ASA) is now accepting applications for its Scholarships, as well as the Silver and Gold Medal Awards. Eligible students of Armenian descent are encouraged to apply. For eligibility requirements and application details, please visit www.asainc.org. The application deadline is April 1.

Armenian Heritage Walk – Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate a milestone that has been decades in the making, the Armenian Heritage Walk at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This black-tie event will honor the completion of Phase One and mark the official unveiling and dedication of the Armenian Heritage Walk on April 25, 2026, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM at The National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Set against the backdrop of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the night will shine with purpose, pride, and community as we introduce a meaningful new cultural landmark, a lasting gift to the nation. For more information or to purchase tickets please go to https://www.armenianheritagewalk.org/event-details/armenian-heritage-walk-gala

Lent 2026 – Our Adult Christian Education (ACE) team has planned an impressive and diverse program this Lenten season. It includes five Zooms and one special presentation following Sunday Badarak. We will begin with a Rest Service on February 20 followed by two sessions on February 27 and March 6 featuring Rev. Fr. Arshen and Yn. Sirarpi Aivazian speaking on the spiritual poetry of Bishop Yeghishe Tourian. On March 13, Dn. Armen Terjimanian will moderate “Frequently Asked Questions on the Badarak” and on March 27 our senior deacon Albert Keshgegian will discuss his latest publication, “Take the Light: Reflections of God’s Love in our Lives.” All these Zooms will be held on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00. The single in-person program will be offered on March 22 by Shoghik Mikayelyan, the CEO of Nor Luyce Mentoring Center for Youth in Yerevan. For more information on all these opportunities, take a flyer that will be available in the narthex.

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.

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. You know you’ve been pondering volunteering for this rewarding role. Make this the week that you reach out for further information (I double dare you), by contacting Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

  

Mar 05         Zoom Book Club Meets

Mar 06         Zoom Lenten Presentation: Yn. Sirarpi Aivazian

Mar 08         RESCHEDULED – Parish Assembly

Mar 13         Zoom FAQs on the Badarak: Dn. Armen Terjimanian

Mar 22         Presentation on Nor Luyce Mentoring Center in Armenia

Mar 27         Zoom Book Presentation: Dn. Albert Keshgegian

Mar 29         Palm Sunday

Apr 05         Easter