St. Vartan Armenian Church of
Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan,
Pastor
Telephone (905) 549-2711
stvartan@cogeco.ca
(905) 617-7888
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.
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.
Great Wednesday we recall the fallen woman who
anoints Christ with costly oil and kisses his feet, in contrast to Judas who
betrayed Christ for money (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
Good Friday is the most solemn and sad day for
Christians, when the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus are recalled. In
the evening, at the burial service, a replica of a tomb is placed in the
chancel of the church. It is adorned
with flowers and during the service is taken in procession around the church.
As they leave, the faithful approach the tomb, kiss the Bible and take a
flower.
Holy Saturday (Easter Eve) is dedicated to the Saviour’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. The mystery of
salvation in the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated. Lights are dim until Isaiah 60 is read, then
they are suddenly turned on and the joy of Easter Eve is begun.
Good
Divine Liturgy @
Then Jesus shouted again, and he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the
Welcome to St. Vartan Armenian Church
If you are a newcomer to St. Vartan,
it is a pleasure to welcome you to our Soorp 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 together
today.
Requiem services (hokehankist) can
be requested for the next church service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan. A requiem may be requested following thedeath of a loved one, 40 days after their death (karasoonk),the yearly anniversary,
name day, birthday or Mother’s Day.
Seven Last Words of Jesus as Recorded in the Gospel
Father, forgive them…Luke
This day you will be with me in paradise Luke 23:43
Woman, behold your son…John 19:26-27
My God, my God…Matthew 27:46, Mark
I thirst. John 19:28
It is finished! John 19:30
Father into your hands…Luke 23:46
Thoughts and Reflections on Hope
Living hope, as the reflection of the spirit of the
Resurrection of our Lord, and the source of the new birth in us, is the
unquenchable fountain of strength that can make us endure and overcome all the
onslaught of suffering and other forms of evil.
Love, Prayer and Hope, His Holiness Catholicos
Karekin I of All Armenians
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around and faith looks up.
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 make your time with us comfortable and enjoyable. Immediately
following the service today please join us in the church hall for refreshments.
We’re glad you’re here and we hope to see you again!
Our next service is at
Church Envelopes
St. Vartan now has offering
envelopes that you can pick up in the church’s entrance foyer, by the
candles. Please help yourself. We thank God for your support and the
blessing of your presence.
Greatest Gift is Love
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts
you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love
with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those that are close to
us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show
patience, empathy and love.
Schedule for April 2007
DIVINE LITURGY & Evening Activities
Good
Friday
Easter
Sunday
Requiem for Armenian Genocide
Victims
Forgive everyone everything.
"Excuse me, Are you Jesus?"
As you read, this think about what you would do. A few years
ago, a group of salesmen went to a sales convention in
ALL BUT ONE ! He paused, took a
deep breath, and experienced compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been
overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, and asked one of them to
call his wife when they arrived at their home destination, and explain his
taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were
all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.
The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was crying
softly, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time
helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no
one stopping or caring. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up
the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he
did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he
set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to
the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you
okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we
didn't spoil your day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away,
the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused,
and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you
Jesus?"
He made his way to catch the later flight with that question
burning, and bouncing about, in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people
mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus,
that people cannot tell the difference, as we live, and interact, with a world
that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk, and act, as
He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture, and going to
church. It's actually living the Word, as life unfolds, day to day.
You are the apple of His eye, even though you, too, have
been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing, and picked you, and me, up on a hill called
Please share this… May God bless you and your family.
The tongue must be heavy, indeed,
because so few people can hold it.
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
Evening Burial Service a Sorrowful Event Relived by Christians Around the World
Today, we remember the suffering, crucifixion, and death of
our Lord. Holy Friday is the most solemn, and sad, day for Christians, which we
observe with a burial service for Jesus Christ. A symbolic tomb is placed in
the chancel of the church, is adorned with flowers, and taken in procession
around the church. It is the Armenian custom to bring flowers to place on the
tomb. Some believe that if you pass
underneath the symbolic tomb your prayers will be answered.
Prayer Upon Leaving the Church
Heavenly King, preserve thy Church
unshaken, and keep the worshippers of thy name in peace.
Love Thy Neighbour
The uniqueness of our neighbors is not related to those idiosyncratic
qualities that only they and nobody else have, but it is related to the fact
that God’s eternal beauty and love become visible in these unique,
irreplaceable, finite human beings. It is exactly in the preciousness of the
individual person that the eternal love of God is refracted, and becomes the
basis of a community of love.
The
Benefits of Memorization
Memorizing Biblical passages gives you rich insights into
their meaning. Memorize passages, reflect on them, say them aloud and pray them
back to God.
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that
I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
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.
We hope to see you at our Easter Sunday service on Sunday,
April 8 at