Der Hayr's Weekly Message

June 8 , 2008

Fourth Sunday after the Feast of Pentecost

Readings- Isaiah 1:21-31, Romans 7:25-8:11, Matthew 12:38-45
Feast of the Discovery of the Relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator

During the past couple of weeks I have been writing about the Liturgical and Prayer life elements of the Church as we know it.  I have chosen these topics to remind us that when we say we belong to the Body of Christ which is the Church that He Himself established then that either means or defines who we say we are or it does not or perhaps we need to make the effort to learn just what it is that our faith as Orthodox Christians teaches us especially in the context of the world in which we presently live.  While the Church is a dwelling of forgiveness, nurturing, love, mercy and charity we should never loss sight of the fact that the Church and the world are really quite opposites of one another and that is why when the Church is called to take a stand it cannot be concerned with what the world or its opinion is going to be.  The Church which is Jesus Christ Himself proclaimed: My Kingdom is not of this world, anyone who wants to follow Me must give up himself for my sake.  Is this a very difficult challenge that Our Lord puts before us and the answer is it most certainly is and for that very reason Christ said: Many are called but few are chosen! The Church is the place where each of us encounters Christ in all of His splendor and glory, the Church does not merely represent Christ but above all things it is CHRIST.
Not only do we encounter Christ in the Church but our act of worship should seek to bring us closer to Him in all of our life’s situations. The only calling of the Church is to be the place where we proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to preach Jesus Christ to a world which is in such desperate need of redemption and mercy!!!

Names commemorated this week:
Taniel, Setrak, Misak, Hapet, Sahag, Mesrob, Drtad, Santoukht, Khosrovitoukht, Daniel, Mishayel, Ashkhen, Krikor

Please pray for the servants of God:
Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian, Archpriest Edward Hughes, Senator Edward Kennedy, Berj Karibian, Carolyn Dagley, Mary Lucchesi, Sarkis Minasian, Verjin Chilingirian, Rose Ritchey Satenig Sarkisian, Peter Mooradian, Francesca Budakian, Jennie Vartabedian, Virginia Ohanesian, Doris Boghosian, Rose Azarian, Helen Mikitarian, Alfred Collins

Tuesday June 10th- Men’s Club Outing at Sarkisian Farm at 6:00 p.m. and Dinner at 6:30 p.m.- Please come and join us.

Requiems for Sunday June 8th, 2008

In memory of Araxie Nalbandian- 7th day
~  Requested by- Pastor & Parish Board

In memory of James Baboian- 40th day
~  Requested by- Pastor & Parish Board, Greg & Carol Minasian & Family

Saturday June 21st- Ladies Guild 2nd Annual Food Fair at Jaffarian Hall from 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Sept. 7th- Annual Church Picnic - Legion Grounds-Haverhill beginning at 12:00 noon- Please reserve the date and join us.

October 17 & 18th- Annual Fall Fair at Jaffarian Hall

Sunday November 9th- 38th Anniversary of St. Gregory Church

Tuesday June 10th- Prophet Daniel- Matins- 10:00 a.m.
Thursday June 12th- Sts. Sahag & Mesrob- Matins- 9:00 a.m.

Sunday June 29th- Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ
Sunday August 17th- Feast of the Assumption- Blessing of Grapes
Sunday September 14th- Elevation of the Holy Cross ( Khatchveradz)
No Requiems ( Hokehankist) are allowed on these Feast Days.