St

St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga

P.O. Box 51010, 5100 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 2C4

Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, Pastor

Telephone (905) 549-2711 stvartan@cogeco.ca

Holy Week

Great Monday is dedicated to the creation of the world, of Heaven and Earth, as the foundation of Christ’s Second Creation. We recall the fig tree that did not bear fruit and was condemned by Christ (Matt. 21:18-11).Like the barren fig tree, Israil failed to bring forth the fruits of repentence. Readings: Matt. 21:18-22, Gen. 1:1-3:24, Isaiah 40:1-8, Matt. 20:17-28.

Great Tuesday recalls the parable of the wise and foolish maidens who waited for their bridegroom without enough oil for their lamps (Matt 25:1-13). We pray and wait, spiritually preparing ourselves to receive Christ while recognizing we are all sinners. Readings: Mark 12:13-44,

Gen. 6:9-9:17, Isaiah 40:9-17, Matt. 24:1-26:2.

Great Wednesday we recall the fallen woman who annoints Christ with costly oil and kisses his feet, in contrast to Judas who betrayed Christ for money (Matt. 26:3-16). Readings: Mark 14:1-11, Gen. 18:1-19:30,

Zech. 11:11-14, Matt. 26:3-16.

Maundy Thursday marks the first Holy Communion, which Christ distributed to His 12 apostles at the Last Supper. During the Passover Meal, Christ broke and distributed unleavened bread and passed the wine. He told the Apostles that this was His Body and Blood of the New Covenant. In the Evening, the service of the Washing of the Feet takes place in memory of the Lord's example on Holy Thursday. Jesus washed His disciples' feet, setting an example of humility and love for the earliest members of the Church. At night, an all-night vigil called Khavaroom (darkness) is kept in memory of the last night of our Lord on earth when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and endured in solitude the agony of His impending death. Readings: Gen. 22:1-18, Isaiah 61:1-7, Mark 14:1-26, I Cor. 11:23-32, Matt. 26:17-30, John 13:1-15.

Good Friday is the most solemn and sad day for Christians, when the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus are recalled. Readings: Mark 15:1-41, Matthew 27:1-56, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Zechariah 12:8-14, Matthew 27:1-61.

Holy Saturday (Easter Eve) is dedicated to the Savior's burial and the sealing of the tomb. The Divine Liturgy, called Jurakalooytz (Candlemass), is celebrated at the end of the day, when every lamp was lit to signify the beginning of a new day. Jurakalooytz was first performed in Jerusalem on Easter Eve at Christ’s tomb. Readings: Matt. 28:1, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42.

Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary see an angel roll aside the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb who tells them, “Don’t be afraid! He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.” Readings: Matt. 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10.

Easter Sunday

March 27, 2005

Today’s service features Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, Preacher and Celebrant @ 10:45 a.m. Sunday School @ 11 a.m. in the Arts Room downstairs across from the elevators. Today’s teacher is Seta MacLennan.

Requiem services can be requested for the next church service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan by Friday, April 15, 2005.

St. Vartan Youth Ask About Good Friday

Questions about Holy Friday, when Christians remember the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, were answered by Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan when a happy group of 18 young people from St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga met on Good Friday. The noon-hour get-together at the home of Berge and Ani Shalvardjian was an opportunity for the youth to reconnect and to meet new friends. A lively discussion of the bestseller book The Da Vinci Code took place, as did questions about pop culture and the Armenian Church. Plans for future get-togethers include a bowling night, a goodbye dinner for Arlette Boghoskhan who is moving back to Montreal, and a trip to Ottawa in April for the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Area youth who wish to join can email Hayr Hayrik at stvartan@cogeco.ca for more information.

Are You New to St. Vartan Armenian Church?

At St. Vartan, we understand how being a “newcomer” can be a bit intimidating. It is our goal to do all we can to make your time with us comfortable and enjoyable. Immediately following the service today we have planned a luncheon time for everyone and we invite you to join us. There will be coffee and non-alcoholic drinks, light sandwich and dessert plates, coloured Easter Eggs, Easter Baskets and home-made Easter Bread (Cheoreg) for sale. Tickets for these items are being sold at the front of the hall. We hope you can stay and visit with us so we can get to know one another. We’re glad you’re here.

Thanks for coming and we hope to see you again!

Thank You To Our Helpers

The Parish Council would like to thank volunteers from our youth who generously helped with the Easter mailing: Caroleene MacLennan, Karin Simonian, Lara and Tanya Sevadjian and Karina and Aren Shalvardjian.

Loris Dumanian Leads St Vartan Mississauga Parish Council for Second Term

March 6, a new team of eight parish council members were elected to serve St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga under the leadership of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada and Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, St. Vartan’s Parish Priest. They are:

Father Hayrik Hovannisyan, President

Loris Dumanian, Chairman

Ian MacLennan, Vice-Chairman

Lilian Sevadjian, Treasurer

Vaheh Davidkhanian, Vice-Treasurer

Ani Kerametlian, Secretary

Les Hamblin, Vice-Secretary

Ani Shalvardjian, Marketing and Communication

Vartegez Simonian, Liaison Officer to Sub-Committees.

Look for them. They will be wearing name tags.

Mailing List Being Updated - Make Sure You’re On It

Please fill out the mailing list forms you can find on clipboards at the doors of the church today. The Parish Council needs to update its mailing list and doesn’t want to miss anyone in future mailings. Thank you.

We wish you a very joyous Easter

Christ has risen from the dead,

Blessed be the resurrection of Christ.

Welcome to St. Vartan Armenian Church

If you are a newcomer to St. Vartan, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our Badarak this morning. Thank you for making time in your busy schedule to be with us. We believe that you will sense God’s Spirit among us as we worship today.