Der Hayr's Weekly Message

January 6, 2008

Scripture Readings- Titus 2:11-15-Gospel-Matthew 1:18-25
Feast of the Nativity and Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Today we celebrate both the birth and baptism of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, the ancient tradition of the early Church was to celebrate both feasts on the same day but was later changed by the Roman Church around 325 A.D. to suppress the celebration of Pagan Feasts throughout the Roman Empire, this change did not spread to Armenia.
Proudly enough we as Armenian Orthodox Christians have remained faithful to the ancient traditions and continue to celebrate the birth of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on its original date which is January 6thone should also remember that from a scriptural point there is no recorded date which has been chronicled in any of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, or Luke all of which proclaim the Birth of Our Lord but not the exact date. The most important thing to remember is not when we celebrate our Lord’s Birth but why we celebrate it and whose Feast Day this really is and why God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ and that is to remind us of just how much God loves us, how merciful He is and how that love is always unconditional. Merry Christmas to all, may your gifts be peace, love, and good health!

The Godfather for the Blessing of the

Water is Armen Almasian.
May God grant His many blessings to you today and always.

.

Names commemorated today on the Feast of the Birth of Our Lord:
Mariam, Hovsep, Megerdich, Hovahness, Melkon, Baghdasar, Kaspar, Arousiag, Antranig, Emmanuel, Hortanan, Avedis, Manuel, Garabed

Please pray for the sick, confined and those who are recovering:
Yeretzgeen Rosemary Davidian, Yeretzgeen Patricia Dagley, Berj Karibian, Sarkis Minasian, Carolyn Dagley, John Barberian, Zabelle Varadian, Hagop Garavanian, Mary Lucchesi

May God grant them good health and a speedy recovery.

Today’s Altar flowers for the Feast of The Nativity and Epiphany of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ are donated by Paul & Beverly Demoorjian.  Sincere thanks for your kindness and generosity and may God grant you many years and good health.

Church Calendar -
Tuesday January 8th- Men’s Club Dinner – 7:00 p.m.
Friday January 18th- Family Night Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday February 3rd- Eve of Great Lent- ( Poon Paregentan)
Thursday February 7th- Avak Luncheon- 12:00 noon

Anyone wishing to have their home blessed during the Feast of the Nativity should contact the Church Office or feel free to contact Fr. Vartan at home to arrange an appropriate time.

Sunday February 24th- Annual Parish Membership Meeting will be held following the Divine Liturgy at the Jaffarian Hall. Please reserve this important date on your calendar.
Tuesday January 8th- 3rd day of Nativity- Matins- 10:00 a.m.
Friday January 18th- Birth of St. John the Baptist- Matins- 9:00 a.m.
Sunday January 20th- Feast of St. Sarkis- Divine Liturgy-10:00 a.m.

Zareh Antranig Mikaelian son of Hrach & Nevart Mikaelian was baptized and confirmed on January 4, 2008-Godparents were Aram Mikaelian and Dina Apovian. May God grant His newly baptized servant many years and good health always.