St. Peter, the son of Jonah and brother of Andrew the First-Called, of the tribe of Simon and the town of Bethsaida, was a fisherman and was at first called Simon, but the Lord called him Cephas, or Peter (Jn 1:42). He was the first of the disciples to give clear expression to his faith in the Lord Jesus, saying: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16:16).

Peter's honored position comes out clearly in a high point of Jesus' ministry, when he, together with James and John, was chosen to see the Transfiguration. After the Last Supper he, again with James and John, witnessed Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. When the Lord was put on trial, Peter denied him three times, but it needed only one look into the face of the Lord, and Peter's soul was filled with shame and repentance. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Peter became a fearless preacher of the Gospel. Following his sermon in Jerusalem, about 3,000 souls were converted. He preached the Gospel throughout Palestine and Asia Minor, in Italy and Illyria.

Peter was condemned to death on the order of the Emperor Nero. After installing Linus as Bishop of Rome and exhorting and encouraging the flock of Christ there, Peter went to his death with joy. When he saw the cross before him, he asked to be crucified upside-down for he felt himself unworthy to die in the same way as the Lord. He is traditionally regarded as the first bishop of Rome.

St. Paul was born in Tarsus. He is the second most important founder of Christianity, also called the thirteenth Apostle. He was formerly known as Saul. He was wondrously converted by the Lord Himself, who appeared to him on the road to Damascus. As Saul was knocked to the ground, a heavenly light shone down suddenly from heaven. He heard Jesus Christ's voice, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). After his conversion, Paul preached the Gospel everywhere with burning zeal, from the borders of Arabia to the land of Spain among the Jews and the heathen, receiving the title of "The Apostle to the Gentiles."

The apostle Paul was executed in Rome during the time of the emperor Nero. He was beheaded at the same time as St. Peter. 

Our new khachkar will be made by an Armenian artist who lives and works in Armenia and who specializes in khachkars and has made several for other Eastern and Western Diocese parishes. Our khachkar will be sized to meet the architectural dimensions of the church building, and to be sure, in keeping with the tradition of khachkars, will be a unique creation with distinctive details that make no two khachkars alike. It will be placed outside in the small garden that adorns the entrance of our church.

Click here to read Der Hovhan's letter

Click here to read Parish Council's letter

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For more information contact Selena Groh.

This Sunday, December 21

After Divine Liturgy
 

Presentation by the