Weekly e-newsletter of
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church
8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Pastor
Friday, December 19, 2014
Volume # 9
Issue No. 51

Sunday Church Service starts at 10:30 A.M.

From your Church 
to your Families

Very Merry Christmas 
     
Haigazian School's Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday morning, December 13, the students of Haigazian Armenian School, along with their parents and grand parents came together in Terhanian Hall to welcome Santa to our parish.     


 

The morning started with delicious breakfast prepared and donated by the members of the Armenian Relief Society. Der Nerses offered the benediction after which, the chair lady of the Haigazian School's Board of Education, Madona Kzirian welcomed all and wished everyone pleasant and fun filled day.


 

After the breakfast Santa walked in exhilarating all the children and gave gifts to all.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Advent Concert

On Saturday evening, December 13, the Sanctuary was filled with "the sound of music".  An Advent concert, featuring master organist, Ara Eloian, was a first for this church community and proved to be a beautiful celebration reminding the more than 80 attendants of the true meaning of Christmas.  After welcoming everyone, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Pastor, explained the reason for the concert--that of escaping from all the secularism and stress of the world during this special season and embracing the true message of Christmas--the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He then briefly described "Advent" as a time for preparation and that, as Christians, we should be preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus into our lives and homes. 

 

The organ concert, beginning with Advent selections, "Creator of the Stars of Night" by Wilbur Held, and "Fear Not, Mary" by Richard Yardumian, led flawlessly into the Christmas selections, "Puer Natus Est" (Unto us, a child is born) by Everett Titcomb, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" arranged by Barry Holben, "Greensleeves" by Richard Purvis, and "I Saw Three Ships" by Leslie Peart.

 

Reading from the Gospel of Luke, Jeannette Der Hagopian, Nancy Basmajian, Merle Santerian, and Gloria Basmajian, retold the story of Jesus' birth; interspersed between the readings, Mr. Eloian accompanied the attendants in group caroling, which included "O Holy Night", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "Angels We Have Heard On High", and "Joy to the World".  The Sanctuary was filled with joy, peace, and praise as more than eighty voices worshipped God for His most precious gift. 

 

While the melodic music of "Silent Night" was being played quietly in the background, Der Hayr took a light from the Altar and, with candle in hand, lit his helpers' candles as one by one each person shared in the lighting ceremony until the sanctuary was shining only by candlelight.  In the midst of that awesome wonder, the beauty of the moment was elevated only by the group's singing "Silent Night" in both Armenian and English.

 

The service closed with "Hayr Mer" (Lord's Prayer), after which Der Hayr thanked everyone for their attendance and participation and wished everyone a blessed and "merry Christmas", which was returned in like.  A lavish reception was held in the Christmas decorated Terhanian Hall, where all gathered for fellowship and sharing.

 

The event, organized by Board of Trustee member, Jeanette Nazarian, is one that is hoped to be an annual event.  Special acknowledgement and sincere gratitude for all their assistance and input is given to Kayaneh Barzakian, Maro Frounjian, Dr. Arsine Oshagan, Kimmy Shahikian, Cindy Stamboulian, and Seda Tarzian.

 


 

 

 


Armenian Genocide Centennial News
Հոգեհանգիստ - Requiem
Հետեւեալ ծխականները հոգեհանգիստ կը խնդրեն իրենց հանգուցեալ հարազատներու հոգւոցն ի հանգիստ
The Following parishioners requested Hokehankist 
for the souls of their loved ones
 
  • Gregory & Cookie Vosbikian, Christopher,  Kristen,  and Alana Vosbikian, and Jake, Gina, Paul, and Shya Terkanian for the souls of their Father, Mother, Great Grandfather, and Great Grandmother, Charles and Claire Mardigian and Samuel Vosbikian.

 

Sunday's Bible Readings    

FIFTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

                                                                                                                  

 

The reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews 7:11-25

            Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?  For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.  For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.  For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

            This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life.  For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."  On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

            And it was not without an oath.  Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, `You are a priest forever.'"  This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant.

            The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.    

 

            

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE 19:12-28

Our Lord Jesus Christ:

            He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive kingly power and then return.  Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten Poonds, and said to them, `Trade with these till I come.'  But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, `We do not want this man to reign over us.'  When he returned, having received the kingly power, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading.  The first came before him, saying, `Lord, your Poond has made ten Poonds more.'  And he said to him, `Well done, good servant!  Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.'  And the second came, saying, `Lord, your Poond has made five Poonds.'  And he said to him, `And you are to be over five cities.'  Then another came, saying, `Lord, here is your Poond, which I kept laid away in a napkin; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.'  He said to him, `I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant!  You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?  Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?'  And he said to those who stood by, `Take the Poond from him, and give it to him who has the ten Poonds.'  (And they said to him, `Lord, he has ten Poonds!')  `I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'"

            And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Ալէլուք   - Եկայք եւ տեսէք զգործս Աստուծոյ, որպէս զի ահեղ են խորհրդով քան զամենայն որդւոց մարդկան։


 

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԷՆ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍԻ.18։9-14

 

Մեր Տէրը Յիսուս Քրիստոս կ՚ըսէ.-

 

            Այս առակն ալ պատմեց անոնց, որոնք կը պարծենային թէ արդար են եւ ուրիշները կ՚արհամարհէին։  �Երկու հոգիներ տաճար գացին աղօթելու. մէկը՝ Փարիսեցի, միւսը՝ Մաքսաւոր։  Փարիսեցին մէկ կողմ կեցած, առանձին կ՚աղօթէր. �Աստուած իմ, շնորհակալ եմ քեզմէ՝ որ ուրիշ մարդոց նման յափշտակող, անիրաւ, շնացող չեմ, կամ այս մաքսաւորին պէս ալ չեմ։  Այլ շաբաթը երկու անգամ ծոմ կը պահեմ եւ իմ եկամուտիս տասանորդը տաճարին կու տամ�։ Իսկ մաքսաւորը մէկ կողմ կեցած, աչքերը առանց վեր բարձրացնելու կուրծքը կը ծեծէր եւ կ՚ըսէր. �Աստուած, ներէ մեղաւորիս մեղքերը�։  Կ՚ըսեմ ձեզի, - եզրակացուց Յիսուս, - ո՛չ թէ փարիսեցին, այլ մաքսաւո՛րը արդարացած գնաց տուն. որովհետեւ ով որ իր անձը կը բարձրաձնէ՝ պիտի խոնարհի, եւ ով որ իր անձը կը խոնարհեցնէ՝ պիտի բարձրանայ�։


 

 

Sunday School News

December 21, 2014

 

  

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!

 

 

  

Haigazian School    Հայկազեան Վարժարան

 

Haigazian Armenian Adult Language Classes, WInter 2015 Term.  Tuesday, January 13 - March 30th.   Beginners 7 - 8:30.  Intermediate 8 - 9:30. For more information, please contact Anita Hovsepian 215-242-1247 or

Download the registration form  and take action.

 

Spread Cheer This Christmas Season - Donate your car

Is there an older unused car sitting in your driveway?  That car may be the answer to someone else's prayers.  Please inform Der Nerses  because we have a parishioner who is in dire need of a vehicle.  Please consider donating it to bring cheer to a worthy person at this Christmas season. Your donation will be tax deductible. 

 

Merry Christmas


 

Advertise with us. Call the Church office for details.

 

St. Gregory Church's weekly e-newsletter, the CHRONCLE, has a newly added section that will benefit its readers, recipients, and advertisers.   Yes, that's right: its advertisers.
 
The CHRONICLE is accepting advertisements from all Armenian businesses.  For less than $5.00 per week ($250.00 for 52 weeks), businesses will have their names and business information disseminated to hundreds of readers on a weekly basis not only in the Philadelphia community, but also to out of state CHRONICLE readers.
 
The CHRONICLE highlights the church's events, parish life, diaspora activities, religious/cultural events, Scriptural readings and teachings in both Armenian and English, and a calendar of events to name only a few headliners.  The coverage via the CHRONCLE attracts people with a variety of interests, and with this new section, why not allow the CHRONCLE to help you market your business?
 
Both hardcopy and electronic advertisements will be accepted.  Hardcopy advertisements may be submitted to the church (8701 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128).  Electronically submitted advertisements, including websites and artwork may be submitted to Der Nerses Manoogian ([email protected])
 

P.S. See the samples on the yellow side bar

 

Community Flyers

 


















Calender of Events


  • December 21, Sunday School's Christmas Pageant
  • December 31, Siroonian Community Center's New Year's Eve celebration

2015                                                                     

  • January 5         Christmas Eve Badarak and Dinner
  • January 6         Armenian Christmas             
  • January 12       Men's Club Meeting
  • January 14       Bible Study
  • February 2       Ladies' Guild meeting                                   
  • February 7       HMEM
  • February 9       Men's Club Meeting
  • February 11     Bible Study
  • February 12     Intercommunal's Vartanantz Celebration
  • February 14     Paregentan Dinner Dance
  • February 20     Vesper Service
  • February 27     Vesper Service
 

 

 


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St. Gregory Church | | [email protected] | http://www.saintgregory-philly.org
8701 Ridge Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19128