St. Vartan
Armenian Apostolic
Vol. 1 No. 12
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Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is
the feast of Christ's triumphal entry into
The people were
waiting for a saviour to lead them out of bondage to
the Romans. Jesus came, not as a saviour from
political bonds as they were expecting. Instead, he brought the people
spiritual freedom from the suffering caused by sin.
Christ came to
The first thing
Jesus did when he came to
On this day,
palm leaves are blessed in Church and distributed to the people with a
procession and blessing of the Sunday School
children. Right after Soorp Badarak, the priest
and people pray for entry once again into God's glorious kingdom and wait for
the church to symbolically open its doors (Ternpatsek),
just as Christ opened the doors for the resurrection of humanity. On
Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday, the curtain before the altar is
opened. Also today, Lent is over.
Monday, we
enter into Holy Week, and we start another fasting period. Holy Week services
are intended for us to live out the message of Christ. Holy Monday, we remember
the fig tree that did not bear fruit (Matt.21:18-22). Holy Thursday, the
Passover Meal in which Christ broke and distributed unleavened bread and wine
as his body and blood of the New Covenant is remembered and Holy Communion is
once again shared with the faithful.
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 feel God’s Spirit and his renewing love among us today as we worship
together.
Divine Liturgy @
March 2008 Schedule
Lenten
Service
Palm Sunday
Armenian Cafe
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Daily Scripture
Song of Solomon
1:1-23
Zechariah
9:9-15
Philippians
4:4-7
Matthew
Requiem
services (hokehankist) can be requested for the next
church service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan. A requiem may be requested following the
death of a loved one, 40 days after their death (karasoonk),
the yearly anniversary, name day, birthday or Father’s/Mother’s Day.
Meet our pastor
Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan
905-916-1886 905-617-7888
stvartan@hotmail.com
Days of Holy Week-- Avak Shapat
Holy Week is
the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter Sunday. The
Armenian Church calls this final week of Christ's life on earth Avak Shapat. During this
time, we share in Christ’s teachings, his suffering, his death, and his
resurrection.
Holy Week
observances call us to move behind the joyful celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter,
and focus on the suffering, humiliation, and death of Jesus. It is important to
place the hope of the Resurrection, the promise of newness and life, against
the background of death and endings.
It is only in
walking through the shadows and darkness of Holy Week and Good Friday, only in
realizing the horror and magnitude of sin and its consequences in the
world, only in contemplating the ending and despair that the disciples felt on
Holy Saturday, that we can truly understand the light and hope of Sunday
morning.
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 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.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
You Will Never Be Sorry…
·
for thinking before acting.
·
for hearing before judging.
·
for forgiving your enemies.
·
for being candid and frank.
·
for helping a fallen brother.
·
for being honest in business.
·
for thinking before speaking.
·
for being loyal to your church.
·
for standing by your principles.
·
for closing your ears to gossip.
·
for bridling a slanderous tongue.
·
for harbouring pure thoughts.
·
for sympathizing with the afflicted.
·
for being courteous and kind to all.
Good Friday
Join us at
The Good Friday
service takes place at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church at
Some people,
No matter how old they get,
Never lose their beauty.
They merely move it—
from their faces
into their hearts.
Martin Buxbaum
The Christian life must be in its own degree
something like the Master’s own life, luminous with his hope, and surrounded by
a bracing atmosphere which uplifts all who even touch its outer fringe.
Hugh Black,
July 6 entry from Joy and Strength
The Church is the only society that exists for its
non-members.
Archbishop
William Temple
Are You On Our Mailing List?
The Parish
Council needs your help to keep its mailing list up-to-date. Sign up to receive
church news by email. Clipboards are at the church entrance doors.
Check It Out
www.stvartan.ca
www.armenianchurch.ca
www.armenianchurch.org
Every day, find time to be alone.
A Baby's Hug
We were the
only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Aris
in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly,
Aris squealed with glee and said, “Hi.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the high
chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a
toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around
and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a
zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was
dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be
called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far
from him, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose
wrists. “Hi there, baby. Hi there, big
boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Aris.
My husband and
I exchanged looks, “What do we do?” Aris continued to laugh and answer, “Hi.”
He was obviously drunk
Everyone in the
restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. Our meal came and the
man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya know
patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.” Nobody
thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and
I were embarrassed. We ate in silence, pretending not to notice; all except for
Aris, who was running through his repertoire for the
admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got
through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and
told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the
door. “Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Aris,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my
back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Aris leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a
baby's “pick-me-up” position. Before I could stop him, Aris
had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very
old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Aris in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his
tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw
tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands, full of grime, pain, and hard labour, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No
two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood
awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Aris in his
arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding
voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed, “I will,” from a throat
that contained a stone.
He pried Aris from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he
were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, “God bless you, ma'am,
you've given me my Christmas gift.”
My God, forgive me
With Aris in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was
wondering why I was crying and holding Aris so
tightly, and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.”
I had just
witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no
sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit
of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I
felt it was God asking, “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?” when
he shared his for all eternity.
The ragged old
man, unwittingly, had reminded me, that to enter the
A Simple Prayer
God bless us in
whatever it is that you know we may need this day. And may our life be full of
your peace, prosperity, and power as we seek to have a closer relationship with
you. Amen.
Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.
John Cotton
Dana
TODAY is PALM SUNDAY
Blessing of the Children and ACYOC
Youth
Planning Underway for
If you would
like to participate in the planning of St. Vartan’s
Armenia Pavilion at Carassauga 2008, please contact
Chairman Vasken Altounian.
More volunteers
are always needed for this annual multicultural festival. Join the following
committees: Armenian culture, food,
fundraising, booklet, decorating, and entertainment.
Interestingly, in
Church, State and Religion in Armenia Issue Paper, Arak-29 Foundation (
Five Simple Rules For
Happiness
1. Free your heart from hatred - forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - most never happen.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Today
EVERYBODY
Is invited to our annual
ARMENIAN CAFÉ
After Soorp
Badarak in the Church Hall
Hosted by the children of our parish
A special celebration to thank our
many volunteer counsellors
for their dedication and enthusiasm
All proceeds will be used to fund
St. Vartan
Sunday School and
St. Vartan
Summer Day Camp
Your support is always appreciated!
BRING SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A RIDE TO
CHURCH.
Easter Service
We hope to see
you at our next Soorp Badarak at