Der Hayr's Weekly Message

March 16 , 2008

Palm Sunday-Beginning of Holy Week

Scripture Readings- Philipians 4:4-7 Matthew 20:29-21:17

Today we begin Holy Week and if nothing else it is the one week during the entire year when we are faced with the inevitable of choosing between the light and the darkness, namely God or the material world, goodness or evil and all of them are choices that only we can make, yes it is once again that time to make that leap of faith and walk with Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
If Great Lent is a reminder of our human frailties and the need to seek repentance and forgiveness then Holy Week is the time when the true self becomes apparent and just how faithful we are to our faith and to our Lord who suffered so willingly for our sins and transgressions. Holy Week can and will reveal our level of faith.
During Great & Holy Week we encounter the challenge to be or not to be, sooner or later what we are and who we claim to be especially in terms of our devotion to Jesus Christ will be obvious not only to ourselves and others but most importantly to God.
With all of the time that we devote to everything else we do in life it is my sincere hope that we make time to be with Lord during Holy Week and to make time to worship the Creator rather than the creation. As always the choice is yours to make. God Bless!!!

Names commemorated today and this week:
Armavir, Sion, Avak, Nounoufar, Dzaghanoush, Dzaghig, Martha, Lazarus, Ghazaros, Zarouhi, Zarig, Zartar, Manoushag, Hasmig, Nargiz, Shahokram, Ovsanna, Lila, Lillian, Lala

Sunday April 13th- Hierarchal Divine Liturgy and Ordination of Acolytes- Guest Celebrant -His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan.  Receiving the Orders of the Office of Acolyte ( Tbirs) will be:  John Mahlebjian, Nicholas Kulungian, Jacob Gostanian, Matthew Kochakian, Nicholas Kochakian, Denis Teague, & Timothy Kublbeck. No Hokehankist will be held on this day.

Please pray for the servants of God:
Berj Karibian, Carolyn Dagley, Krikoris Kitabjian, Mary Lucchesi, Sarkis Minasian, Virginia Chilingirian, Rose Ritchey

Holy Week Schedule 2008

Holy Tuesday March 18th- Matins at 10:00 a.m.

Holy Wednesday-March 19th- Matins at 10:00 a.m.

Holy Thursday March 20th- Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Washing of the Feet-6:30 p.m.- Passion of Christ- 7:30 p.m.

Holy Friday- Service of the Crucifixion-12:00 noon
Burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ- 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday-Matins & Holy Communion for Sunday School and Armenian School Students at 9:00 a.m.
Vespers & Readings at 4:30 p.m.
Easter Eve Divine Liturgy at 5:00 p.m.
Guest Preacher will be His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar

Sunday March 23, 2008- Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Matins- 9:00 a.m.- Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

Ruth Johnson entered into eternal rest on March 9th, 2008 funeral services were held on Friday March 14th. The Pastor & Parish Board extend their condolences to Greg & Mary Lou Johnson and Diana & John Dawe and her sisters Nevart Apovian & Rose Ritchey. May God grant His servant eternal rest & peace among the Saints.

Thursday April 3rd- Avak Luncheon & Program- 12:00 noon

Thursday April 17th- Peabody Genocide Program at 11:00 a.m.
Friday April 18th- State House Genocide Program at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 19th- Flag Raising at Lowell City Hall at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday April 20th- Merrimack Valley Genocide Program at North Andover Middle School at 3:00 p.m.