Shogh Sunday Bulletin - September 25, 2022 #162

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS FAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAK

SYNAXIS READINGS

PROVERBS 3:18 26 ISAIAH 65:22 25 GALATIANS 6:14 18 MATTHEW 24:30 36

Morning Service at 9:30 am Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am

Special Blessing of the Republic Prayer and Flag Blessing at 12:00 pm

Celebrated by:

REV. ARCHPRIEST FR. ZAREH ZARGARIAN Vicar and Parish Priest

Choirmaster: Dn. Shahe Altounian

Organist: Mrs. Sona Artinian

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

MATTHEW 24:30 36

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth c will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it e is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAK

According to tradition when St. Hripsime and her companions came to Armenia to escape emperor Diocletian, she brought a relic of Holy Cross with her. Before leaving for Vagharshabad, St Hripsime hid it in the Mounts of Varak and only couple of pious monks knew its location. After her martyrdom and the death of the monks, the relic remained hidden in the secret place for nearly 300 years. In the year 653, hermit Todik of Glak began looking for the relic. Todik’s prayers to find it were answered and he was shown the location of Holy relic in a vision: he suddenly saw a wonderful light on the top of mountain Varak, surrounded by 12 luminous columns. Monks Todik and Joel followed the light and found the relic of Holy Cross resting on the Holy Altar. The Catholicos, St. Nerses III the Builder, came to Varak to witness the miracle. He ordered that each year the Sunday closest to September 28 (September 25 October 1) be dedicated to the Holy Cross of Varak. First the relic was placed at the Monastery of Varak and later in the church the Holy Sign and remained there until 1021, when Senekerim Ardzrouni brought the relic to Sebastia. After his death the relic is again transferred to its old place and remained there until it was taken to Khoshab in 1651. Four years later the relic is returned and placed in the Church of Holy Mother of God in Van, which later was renamed the Church of Holy Sign. The relic was preserved there till 1915.

DID YOU KNOW?

Originally, the relic of the Holy Cross of Varak was given to Empress Petronice, the wife of Emperor Claudius. It was given to her by the first Bishop of Jerusalem St. James the Apostle. Empress took the relic of the Holy Cross to Rome, and it was passed from generation to generation. Eventually the relic St. Hripsime inherited the relic, as she belonged to the noble lineage of Emperor Claudius. When the Emperor Diocletian was determined to marry St. Hripsime, she refused him, and soon she fled Rome with St. Gayane and 70 nuns to escape prosecutions. First they went to Egypt, than to Jerusalem. Here they were praying on the Gravesite of St. Mary, asking for direction. Having received the answer to their prayers, the nuns followed the divine message. They went first to Edessa, and later continued their way to

A BLESSING OF THE REPUBLIC PRAYER

Every year on May 28 and September 21, in commemoration of the Independence of first and second Republics of Armenia, the Armenian churches conduct a special Blessing of The Republic Prayer service for the safety and prosperity of Republic of Armenia. For the first time this service took place on May 28, 1919. It was dedicated to the 1 year anniversary of independence of the first Republic of Armenia and was ordered by the Catholicos of that time His Holiness Kevork V Surenyants. The ecclesiastical hymn sung during this ceremony was written by Bishop Kevork Chorekchyan, who later became the Catholicos of All Armenians Kevork VI Chorekchyan. This service was forgotten during the soviet regime in Armenia.

On May 26, 1989, the government of Soviet Republic of Armenia passed a motion re establishing May 28, 1918 as the Independence Day of the first Armenian Republic. On June 14 of that same year, by the Pontifical Encyclical of Catholicos Vazgen I all churches in Armenia and Diaspora were ordered to hold a Blessing Of The Republic Prayer service on May 28 in honour of the heroes of Sardarapat and for all who gave their lives for independence of our homeland Armenia.

On September 21, 1991, the second Armenian Republic declared its independence from Soviet Union. The Armenian churches started to celebrate this beautiful Prayer Service not only on May 28, but also on September 21. During the Blessing of the Republic Prayer service, after the Divine Liturgy a Requiem Service is held in memory of fallen soldiers and heroes, which is followed by the Special Blessing of the Republic Prayer for the peace and prosperity of our Motherland.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first passport of newly independent Republic of Armenia was issued to His Holiness Vazgen I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The passport was presented to the Pontiff by the first President of Republic of Armenia. Vazgen I also welcomed and blessed the adoption of Declaration of Independence of Armenia. His Holiness also blessed the newly independent Republic of Armenia.

FEAST OF ST. GEORGE THE WARRIOR

On Saturday September 24th, the Armenian Church commemorated St. George the Warrior. S. George was born and raised in a pious Christian family in Cappadocia. At the young age he served in the Roman army, and due to his courage and heroic deeds he is soon promoted to the rank of a Captain.

St. George openly opposes Roman Emperor Diocletian's plans to persecute Christians, and the fact that he is Christian, is revealed. In rage and disbelief, the Emperor orders to imprison St. George and subjects him to torture. The emperor continuously tries to convince St. George to turn away from Christianity. His efforts seem to pay off, when St. George agrees to offer sacrifice to idols. But when he reached the temple St. George one by one destroyed the statues of idols proving their falsehood.

Requestedby

Mrs. Aznif Margosyan and children InMemoryof

Their beloved Mother and Grandmother THE LATE NEVER SHAKARYAN on the 40th day of her passing in The Netherlands as well as Their beloved Father and Grandfather NBADAK MARGOSIAN

Their beloved Sister and Aunt VIOLET MARGOSYAN And their beloved Brother and Uncle MARGOS MARGOSYAN

Requestedby

Mrs. Lorans and her daughters, Mariam and Alis Sarkisian InMemoryof

Their beloved Husband and Father

THE LATE ARIS SARKISIAN and their beloved Family’s Deceased Members: SIANOS SARKISIAN HAYKANUSH VARTAN MISAK NALBANDIAN MUNA NALBANDIAN ADIBA ALKAS SAMUEL NOUR JIHAN ALKAS SAMUEL KATHERINE BOGHOS SAMUEL ALKAS MURAD

Requestedby

S Mr. & Mrs. Matyos & Sona Bezjian and Araz Bezjian InMemoryof

THE LATE ARAXE KEHEIAN

On occasion of 1st anniversary of her passing

Requestedby

Mrs. Maryam Khodadian

Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Claris Boghossian

Mr. & Mrs. Araz and Amalia Boghossian and children Ms Sisian Boghossian

Mr. & Mrs. Antranik & Alice Hovsepian and Family

Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Jasmen Mgerdichian & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Armen & Helen Sarkissian and Family

Mr. Armen Gharabegi, and Gharabegi and Shahverdian families InMemoryof

Their beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Uncle THE LATE MISSAK GHARABEGI

On occasion of 1st year of his passing

Requestedby

Siraki, Vartanian and Alexandrian Families InMemoryof

Their beloved Brother and Uncle THE LATE ARIS VARTANIAN

On 1st anniversary of his passing

Requestedby

Mrs. Arpine Maghakian

Mrs. Maggy Libarian and Mr. Harout Aren Libarian

Mr. & Mrs. Mardig & Yamile Maghakian and children

Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Carin Talaslian and children Mr. Vicken Maghakian and children

Mr. & Mrs. Shaunt & Caroline Libarian and children

Mr. Ara Libarian & Ms Amanda Cabral

Mr. Vahe Maghakian

Mrs. Albera Boujoukian

Mr. & Mrs. Setrak and Meline Jikerjian

InMemoryof

Their beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother and Uncle THE LATE HAROUT “HARRY” MAGHAKIAN

On 2nd anniversary of his passing

From September 2022

AltarFlowers

Mr. & Mrs. Matyos & Sona Bazajian $100

Membership2022

Mr. Alexander Diradour $80

Ms Elisabeth Diradour $80

Louma

Mrs. Sonia Artinian $100

Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Sella Kaltakjian $100

General

Ms Elisabeth Diradour $500

Mr. & Mrs. Mike & Vicki Kesian $200

Mrs. Madeline Sahakian $100

Mrs. Cecilia Jaladian Abajian $100

Anonymous Donor $100

Ms Jemma Gulyan $50

Mr. & Mrs. George & Elisa Karam $50

InMemoryof

THELATEDAVIDHARUTYUNYAN

Mr. & Mrs. Samvel & Susanna Harutyunyan $100

THELATEZOVANOUSHKOLANDJAIN

Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Marie Ghajanian $135

THELATESETHSARKISSIAN

Mrs.LorettaSarkissian$100

THELATEARAMBALTAYAN

Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $100

Mr. & Mrs. Hrayr & Nrane Tadevosyan $50

THELATEMADLENYELANGOZIAN

Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $50

Sonia Bastermajian $100

Mr. Hovhannes Apikian $20

Mr. Hampartsoum Moumjian $20

Ms Taguhi Kiredjian $20

THELATEDANILEAVANESSIAN

Mrs. Telma Avanessian $200

We are happy to announce that Holy Trinity Armenian Church's Sunday School Registration is now open for children 4 years and older. Kindly complete the registrationformonline to includeyourchild(ren) for the year 2022-23.

https://www.torontoarmenianchurch.com/.../sunday school/

The firstdayof Sunday SchoolisonFeast ofHoly Cross, September 11, 2022 and will continue every Sunday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Holy Trinity Armenian Church. For information, please contact us by email: info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com or call us at 416 431 3001 ext. 3