St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga

P.O. Box 53010, 5100 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5A7

Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, Pastor

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

(905) 617-7888

 

Pentecost

 

Held 50 days after the Jewish Passover, Pentecost was also called the Festival of Harvest.  It was one of three major annual festivals celebrated by the Jews (Deut. 16:16); it was a festival of thanksgiving for the harvested crops. 

 

The Book of Acts speaks of the first Pentecost after the death and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:1-42). In this passage, the apostles and others have convened in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. It was 50 days after the resurrection and 10 days after the ascension of Jesus. There was a sudden sound “like the rush of a mighty wind” (v.2) from heaven, followed by “tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them (v.3).  As a result, the apostles began to speak in tongues i.e. in many different languages.  Because Jews of many nations gathered in Jerusalem for the annual harvest festival, the descent of the Holy Spirit was before an international audience and resulted in a worldwide harvest of new believers—the first converts to Christianity.

 

The apostle Peter interpreted the event as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2:8-32.  It was also the promise of Jesus.  In Acts 1:8, just prior to his ascension, the risen Jesus had said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”  The events of Pentecost are the fulfillment of this promise.  On that day, the Holy Spirit did indeed come upon the apostles and empowered them to witness to Jews about Christ.

 

This was also the fulfillment of John the Baptist’s words about the Holy Spirit baptizing with fire (Luke 3:16).  Why tongues of fire?  Tongues symbolize speech and the communication of the good news.  Fire symbolizes God’s purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements of our life and sets our heart aflame to ignite the lives of others.  At Pentecost, fire came down on many believers, symbolizing that God’s presence is available to all who believe in him. 

 

On the day of Pentecost, the spiritually exhilarated disciples were thought to be filled with new wine, in other words, drunk. Peter answered these accusations (Acts 2:15), saying it is much too early in the day (it was 9 a.m.) for that.  With confidence from the Holy Spirit, Peter became a powerful and dynamic speaker and told the people the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus had been entirely fulfilled in him, that Jesus is the Messiah and the risen Christ could change their lives.  About 3,000 people became new believers when Peter preached, and when they returned to their homelands, they spread God’s good news of salvation, preparing the way for Paul and other messengers..

 

For Christians today, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit and the bestowal of the gift of tongues on the disciples.  It is held on the seventh Sunday after Easter. 

 

Sunday, June 4, 2006

 

Divine Liturgy @ 1 p.m. with Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan. Sunday School  @ 1:30 p.m. with teacher Christine Ermarkaryan. The children will be learning about Pentecost.

 

 

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you.  But when the Father sends the Counsellor as my representative—and by the Counsellor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.  I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.  Remember what I told you:  I am going away, but I will come back to you again.  If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, because now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am.  I have told you these things before they happen so that you will believe when they do happen.  John 14:25-29

             

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 afternoon. 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. Requiem services can be requested for the next church service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan.

 

Requiem services have been requested today by:

 

Mr. and Mrs. Yetvart and Taleen Balian and their children Alexandra and Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Aret and Maral Culpak and their children for the loving memory of their beloved mother, mother-in-law and grandmother Arusyak Balian (40 days).  May God bless her soul.

 

Mr and Mrs. Joseph and Sona Chahinian, Dr. and Mrs. Cyril and Noush Tahtadjian and their children, and Mr and Mrs. Raffi and Patil Demerji and their daughter for the loving memory of their beloved sister and aunt Eugenie Bedrossian (2 years).  May God bless her soul.

 

St. Vartan Day Camp for Summer Fun

 

The St. Vartan Camp Committee is planning its 4th annual summer day camp to be held from Monday, July 10 to Friday, July 14, from 10am to 3pm each day, at Fogolar's Country Club, 2026 Lower Base Line, Oakville (between Bronte Road and Fourth Line).  The camp is for children four to 10 years old.  More information and camper registration forms are available today, on the table by the church entrance doors.

 

Junior Counsellors between the ages of 11 and 14, and Senior Counsellors 16 and older are needed to help provide Armenian fun and leadership.  All hours count as community service volunteer time, and counsellors will receive a letter acknowledging their contribution from Hayr Hayrik. Please fill out a Counsellor Registration Form.

 

Please join us, and invite your friends to come along and help make St. Vartan Summer Day Camp a fantastic place to be this summer.

 

We Welcome Newcomers and Visitors

 

Immediately following the service today we have a coffee hour and we invite you to join us in the parish hall.  We’re glad you’re here and we hope to see you again.  Our next service is on Sunday, June 18, 2006 at 1 p.m.  Please take this tertig home with you for future reference and to share with your family and friends.

 

Are You On Our Mailing List?

 

Please fill out the forms you can find on clipboards at the doors of the church today. The Parish Council needs your help to keep its mailing list up-to-date. Sign up to receive church news by email.

Celebrating Armenian Culture in Mississauga

 

The Armenia Pavilion at Carassauga welcomed the public for the third year last weekend. St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga participated in Mississauga’s three-day multicultural festival Carassauga. The Armenia Pavilion introduced non-Armenians to Armenian history, culture and people and was one of 25 pavilions taking part in the annual event.

 

Saturday, the pavilion hosted a concert by well-known Los Angeles children's singer and storyteller Taline at 1:30 p.m. Following this lively concert, the pavilion was opened to the public with the music, Armenian dancing, Armenian food and merriment continuing till midnight.

 

Sunday was the last day of Carassauga and activities ended at 7 p.m., followed by a massive cleanup of the Frank McKechnie Community Centre, where the Armenia Pavilion was housed.

 

Carassauga attracts Armenians from all over the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. They come for the delicious barbecued shish kebabs, the Armenian lahmajoon, fresh paklava and also for the opportunity to see colourful Armenian folkloric dancing and hear energetic Armenian music. This year, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto’s popular dance group Sassoon, Montreal’s Hovik Ter-Martirosian, Kevork Shahmouradjian and St. Vartan Choir Member Serpouhi Mouchian all performed at the Armenia Pavilion.

 

A huge undertaking, the Armenia Pavilion depends entirely on the hard work and enthusiasm of St. Vartan’s faithful who generously volunteer their time and skills. There were more than 50 men, women, youth and even children who volunteered at the Armenia Pavilion. Money raised at Carassauga goes towards St. Vartan’s building fund.

 

Admission to the Armenia Pavilion was by passport. Passports cost $10 and allowed access to all 25 pavilions all weekend long, plus free use of the Mississauga transit system. The Armenia Pavilion was on the shuttle bus service that took visitors to other pavilions across Mississauga.

 

Book Now For Your Family Mante Dinner On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18

 

How long has it been since you ate mante?  We invite you to take advantage of a mante dinner being organized for Father’s Day on Sunday June 18. Please join us in the church hall immediately after the 1 p.m. Divine Liturgy at St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church. 

 

Concert Pianist Ivetta Melkumyan will perform popular Armenian music at this event. 

 

As tickets are limited due to the size of the hall, we urge you to purchase them as soon as possible.  For tickets, please call Heranush Hamblin at (905) 820-1329 or email anijan2@gmail.com.


St. Vartan’s Church Picnic

 

St. Vartan’s Church Picnic is on Sunday, July 9, 2006 at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Green Area A, Oakville.  Pick up a picnic flyer from the media table at the front doors of the church (with a map and directions) today.

Did you know?

 

News Stories and Photos Now Available on St. Vartan’s Website:  www.stvartan.ca, and Canadian Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church’s Website:  www.armenianchurch.ca.

 

Parish Council Members Receive our Prayers Today

 

Today, Hayr Hayrik will be blessing the members of our Parish Council.  Elected or appointed to serve St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church in March 2006 were: Chairman Julia Dumanian, Vice Chairman Heranush Hamblin, Secretary Katie Shaninian-Hanna, Treasurer Vahram Vahramian,  Vaheh Davidkhanian, Melkon Melkon, Hrach Grigoryan and Ani Shalvardjian.  Please pray that God may guide them in the work they do for our church community.

Youth Get-Together This Friday

 

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 9, youth who are 15 and older will be getting together to discuss and register for the upcoming ACYOC sports weekend.  For more information, please call St. Vartan's Youth Leader Meher Torossian at (416) 300-9553.

Mr. Bean Will Tickle Everyone’s Funny Bone

 

Join in the Family Fun Night Friday, June 9, when the very funny Mr. Bean movies will be screened at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church, 1541 Oakhill Drive, Oakville.  Everyone is welcome to come and forget the serious side of life.  Free movie and popcorn begins at 7:30 p.m.  Youngsters are invited to come in their pyjamas, and bring along pillows and sleeping bags for comfy viewing.

      

DIVINE LITURGY

Family Fun Night & Youth Get-Together*

Schedule for June 2006

 

7 p.m. *           Friday, June 9

1 p.m.              Sunday, June 18 Last Soorp Badarak Before Summer Break

11 a.m.            Annual Church Picnic, Bronte Creek Provincial Park

 

Our last Soorp Badarak before the summer break will be held on Sunday, June 18, 2006 at 1 p.m. at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church.  We hope to see you then.