St. Vartan Armenian Church of
Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, Pastor
Telephone (905) 549-2711
stvartan@cogeco.ca
(905) 617-7888
Thoughts and Prayers on the Christmas Story
By the Rev. Harold Percy, Trinity Anglican Church, Streetsville, Ont.
It is always a holy moment when a child is born. Jesus was born in a manger, in absolute
poverty and helplessness. Luke 2:1-7
describes his birth. The first Christmas gift—Jesus—was given by God.
Think of God’s humility to come to us in such poverty. He comes to the poor and reveals himself to
the poor. He doesn’t make himself known
to kings, but to shepherds. The
shepherds understood the birth was good news.
They came to see Jesus and then they shared the good news. This is evangelism.
Think of the homeless, those who feel alienated, like an
outsider, vulnerable and helpless—and pray for them. People who would be easily overlooked are
chosen by God for great things. Martin
Luther King observed that God calls upon people as they go about their daily
business. It seems to always be when
they’re busy looking after their responsibilities that God turns up. Ask God if there’s something in which you can
be involved.
Pray that God will help you to see your work with new eyes,
with a new perspective, as service to him.
Thank God for those people who helped you come to faith and become a
follower of Jesus.
Who are the people you would love to see put their trust in Jesus, but
are distant and separated from him at this moment? Pray for them.
The magi brought gifts to Jesus. Think about the gifts that you have, your
talents, your treasures. Ask God to help
you be a good steward of the gifts he has entrusted to you.
It is important to keep King Herod in Christmas. He is the naked face of evil, opposing all
God is doing, hanging on to his kingdom at all costs. He represents the nature of the world to
which Jesus came—a world desperately needing a saviour. When we think of
Herod—his violence and fury—we think of the sin that lies deep in the human
heart, which seeks to turn us away from God.
Think of the suffering in the world—the abused, neglected,
hungry, the tragedies caused by wars.
Pray for this broken world--its pain, violence, and innocent victims. Pray for love and peace, and that the
churches around the world might be agents for peace and that through them the
world might hear the good news, the healing news brought by Christ.
Christmas Day
Divine Liturgy & Blessing of the Water @
God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into
the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he
loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear Friends,
since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us,
and his love has been brought to full expression through us. 1 John 4:9-12
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 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 together today.
Requiem services can be requested for the next church
service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan.
The Gospel is like a Persian carpet
with many threads running through it.
Some threads are on the surface and some threads are hidden.
Why is Armenian Christmas Celebrated on January 6?
Even at the time of the apostles, there was no uniform way
to celebrate this holy day in Christian churches around the world. And it wasn’t even celebrated in the very
early Church. By the end of the third
century, Christmas in
Schedule for January 2007
DIVINE LITURGY
& Evening
Activity*
Potluck
Dinner
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 parish
hall for refreshments. We’re glad you’re here and we hope to see you again! Our next service is Sunday, Jan. 21 at
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.
Three Drops of Holy Muron Oil Added
Christmas Badarak Includes Baptismal Ceremony
On the morning of January 6, as dawn breaks in
During Holy Communion, the whole congregation moves forward
to the altar. First the choir members, then the people received the body and
blood of our Lord. While the people partake, the choir sings the joyous hymn,
"0 Great Mystery" (Khorhourt Medz).
Following the Divine Liturgy is the ceremony of baptism. A
large basin of water is placed before the altar. Prayers are offered and hymns
sung while three drops of Holy Muron oil, signifying the Holy Trinity, is
poured into the water. The water symbolizes the River Jordan, where John the
Baptist baptised Jesus. The Holy Muron is symbolic of the descent of the Holy
Spirit upon Jesus.
The cross, which had been submerged in the water the night
before, is taken out. Traditionally, a layperson is selected for this special
privilege and is known as the "godfather of the cross." The people
then approach with reverence, kiss the cross held by the godfather, and take
some holy water home with them.
For one week following, every day is considered Christmas.
Friends and relatives visit each other's homes and greet one another in the
following way:
Tzez yev mes medz avedis
(To
you and us the good news)
Krisdos
dzunav yev haydnetsav
(Christ
is born and revealed among us)
Orhnial
eh haydnootiunun Krisdosee
(Blessed
is the revelation of Christ)
From "Loosaper," St. Peter
Armenian Church,
Our next Soorp Badarak, will be on Sunday, Jan. 21, at