Der Hayr's Weekly Message

January 27, 2008

Scripture Readings- Titus 1:1-11- Gospel-John 7:37-52
Second Sunday after the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ
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In accordance with our Church Calendar Thursday of this week is the celebration of St. Vartan and his followers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our faith and religious freedom. But it certainly makes us wonder if we really can comprehend the enormous sacrifice they made so that some 1656 years later we have the ability to worship our God as Armenian Orthodox Christians, their legacy defines the very essence of our faith as those who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior.
We should perhaps think about how much sacrifice those who came before us have made and remember that we owe what we are to those who came before us who lived under far more difficult conditions but seemed to have accomplished so much with so little. Just imagine for a moment if we really took time to truly live out our Christianity instead of just talking about it, would not the world be a much better place.
We can always say that it happened so long ago that it is irrelevant to us who are living in today's world, but the very battle that St. Vartan fought against the Pagans is the very one that we as Christians are fighting right here and now, the struggle is the same but the time is different. Let us examine ourselves and look into our hearts and ask are we really worthy descendants of St. Vartan and do we really know and comprehend why they died for us? As always the choice is yours!!!

Names commemorated this week:
Vartan, Mamigon, Moushegh, Karekin, Khoren, Ardag, Satenig, Levon
Arshen, Vasken, Ghevont, Hmayag, Dajad, Vahan, Arsen, Nerseh,
Hairabed, Bion, Cyrill, Peniamin, Margos, Benjamin

Please pray for the sick, confined and those who are recovering: Berj Karibian, Sarkis Minasian, Carolyn Dagley, John Barberian, Zabelle Varadian, Hagop Garavanian, Violet Garabedian, Haig Aghjayan, Satenig Sarkisian

May God grant them good health and a speedy recovery

Schedule for Services during Great Lent

February 4th-March 14th

Arevakal ( Sunrise Service) - Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Jashou Matins- ( Midday Service) - Fridays at 12:00 noon
Lenten Compline- ( Husgoom)- Friday Evening at 7:00 p.m.

Lenten Dinner will be held on Friday Evenings during Great Lent before the Compline Service at 6:00 p.m.- February 8-March 14th
Those attending the Lenten Dinner are kindly asked to proceed to the Sanctuary once they have completed their meals.
The Lenten Vespers will begin at 7:00 and conclude at 7:30 p.m. with a guest preacher each week.

Requiems for Sunday January 27th, 2008

~ In memory of the servants of God- Garabed & Odia Moasesian, John Koobatian
Requested by- Nevarte Moasesian
~ In memory of the servant of God-Elizabeth Barsamian- 40th day
Requested by- Pastor & Parish Board, Olga Sarkisian
~ In memory of the servant of God-William Loosigian- 40th day
Requested by- Pastor & Parish Board
~ In memory of the servant of God- Aghavni Bebirian- 19th year
Requested by- Peter Bebirian, Michael & Elaine Bebirian & Family,
Helena Bebirian

Thursday January 31st- St. Vartan- Matins- 10:00 a.m.
Friday February 1st- Matins- 10:00 a.m.
Monday February 4th- 1st day of Great Lent- Matins- 10:00 a.m.