THESSALONIANS 1:1 10
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life ? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
STS. NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER, GREGORY THE WONDERWORKER, AND MYRON
On November 26th the Armenian Church commemorates Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Gregory the Wonderworker and the Bishop Myron.
St. Nicolas The Wonderworker was a fourth century Bishop of Myra, Lycia in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and a defender of orthodoxy. St. Nicholas is also called “the wonderworker.” He was also known as a secret gift giver and is believed to be the model for modern day Santa Claus.
The holy father Nicholas was archbishop of Myra and the son of a pious couple, Epiphanius and Nooneh. He was ordained bishop by his uncle and is said to have participated in the Council of Nicea (325 AD). Because of the special care shown to children, he is considered the protector of children. When his parents died, Nicholas was left a considerable inheritance. He could have lived a life of leisure and pleasure. But he heard the call of Christ and gave his wealth to the poor and needy.He is known as the liberator of shipwrecked souls and called the “wonderworker.” St. Nicholas died of natural causes in the fourth century and a few centuries later his relics were trans¬ferred to the Italian city Bari, where a large cathedral is dedicated to him. He was truly a teacher of abstinence. (“Soorbk yev Donk” (Saints and Feast Days) by Patriarch Torkom Kooshagian).
Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia Minor) to a well to do family. To further their studies in lawmaking and rhetoric, St. Gregory and his brother went to Alexandria, the center for pagan and Christian learning of the time. Here they met the famous Christian scholar Origen, who became his mentor. Later St. Gregory converted to Christianity. In 240 he returned to Neocaesaria and is appointed as the Bishop. By his saintly life, his effective preaching, working of miracles and graced guiding of his flock, the saint steadily increased the number of converts to Christ. According to tradition, when St Gregory became a Bishop, there were only seventeen Christians in Neocaesarea. At his death, only seventeen pagans remained in the city.
Saint Myron, Bishop of Crete, a wonderworker, in his youth was a family man, and worked as a farmer. He was known for his goodness, and assisted everyone who turned to him for help. St. Myron was ordained to the priesthood in his native city of Raucia, and afterwards people chose him as the Bishop of Crete. St Myron received from the Lord the gift of wonderworking. St Myron lived till the age of 100.
DID YOU KNOW?
The traditional Advent wreath is made of evergreen brunches formed into a circle, that symbolizes the eternal nature of God. 7 purple candles are places on this horizontal wreath and 1 large white candle is put in the middle. In the Western Advent Tradition, they have four candles instead of 7, one for each Sunday before Christmas; but since the Armenian Church has seven weeks of Advent, therefore 7 purple candles are placed. The burning of 7 candles means cleansing from the 7 deadly sins. The color purple is a symbol of royalty, and the colour white symbolizes purity and virtue. On the eve of each Sunday, accompanied with prayers and singing of hymns another candle is lit until they have all been lit on the last Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity. The white candle in the centre of the wreath represents the Christ Himself and this is lit on Christmas Eve. This is a fine custom, especially for children, as it helps them to mark the passing of the Nativity Fast.
Requested by Mrs. Kiymet Guneysucu
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Ani Demircioglu Mr. Robert Demircioglu
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis and Annik Taskopru and family Mr. & Mrs. Ihan and Caroline Kus and family Mr. & Mrs. Garbis and Linda Kuscu and family In Memory of Their beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather
THE LATE ARAKEL GUNEYSUCU
On 1st anniversary of his passing
Requested by Mrs. Roza Aghoubian
Mr. & Mrs. Sourik and Anahid Kujian and family
Mr. & Mrs. Shahen and Stella Kujian and family In Memory of Their beloved Father and Grandfather
THE LATE GHOSTI KUJIAN
On 40th day of his passing in Armenia
Requested by Sasnouhi, Sasvard and Sasun Musliyan
In Memory of Their beloved Mother
THE LATE NAZELI MUSLIYAN
On 24th anniversary of her passing
Flowers are sponsored by Mrs. Rejan Citak Mr. & Mrs. Ardem & Aline Keshishian Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Tamar Melconian
In Memory of Their beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather THE LATE HAGOP CITAK
Flower arrangements are provided by KEN’S FLOWERS ON AVENUE
If you wish to be the sponsor of fresh flowers for the Altar in honour of your loved ones on their birthday, anniversary, graduation or in memory of a departed soul, please contact the church office to book the date Tel: 416 431 3001 OR info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com
94th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Armenian Church
Mr. & Mrs. John & Margritt Satouri $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Joy Bedrosyan $1,000
Mrs. Shakeh Basmajian $1,000
Dr. Isabelle Basmajian $1,000
Mrs. Ani Sarvarian $300
Dr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Harout & Rita Yacoubian $50
General
Mrs. Taline Moushian $150
Mr. Edik Gragrisian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Vegmir & Rima Khachatourian $20 Mrs. Susanna Khachatryan $60
Anonymous Donor $100
Mrs. Mari Eglence $40
Mrs. Cecilia Jaladian Abajian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Mike & Vicki Kesian $200
Mrs. Tatev Baghdasaryan $50
Mr. Michele Peters $200
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Ani Demircioglu $200
Louma
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom & Vivian Mirzoyan $50
Annual Christmas Market (Women’s Guild)
Miss Marie Artinian $50
Mrs. Sara Tomasian $100
InMemoryof
The Late Jirayr Berkaslan
Mr. Takvor Hopyan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Seta Dislioglu $100
Mr. & Mrs. Garbis & Marie Corluyan $20
Mr. & Mrs. Garbis & Ayda Gamsizoglu $100
Mrs. Sona Kurtcu $100
The Late Iskender Eglenge
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Mrs. Alis Aksu $200
Mr. & Mrs. Aris & Sibil Kurkjian $100
The Late Segey Shahmirzaian
Mr. & Mrs. Caren Sarkissian and Yvette Shahmirzaian $300 Ms Selina Bayer $50
The Late Marina Azizian
Mr. & Mrs. Vigen & Alenoosh Allahyarian $100
The Late Dr. Kathy Behesnilian
Mr. Berj Behesnilian, Christine Ishkanian and Daniel Behesnilian $300
Mr. & Dr. Horacio & Never Youssoufian & Family $1,000
Mr. Nerses Fesdekjian $100
Ms Mona Selyan $100
Mr. Hambar Davidian $100
Mr. Khajag Kalayjian $20
Mr. Ara Hayrapetyan $100
Ms Rita Haroutioun $100
Mr. & Mrs. William & Anahid Movel $100
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Ruzanna Arslanian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Norayr Kevorkian $40
Mr. Varoujan Lapoyan $50
Mr. Apraham Shohmelian & Family $40
Mr. & Mrs. Harout Seraydarian & Nayiri Baliozian $100
Mr. Hovsep Baliozian $100
Mrs. Lucine Mardikian $50
Mr. Harout Nalbandian $100
Ms Matilde Gentile $60
Houshig & Sevan Kakajian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Madat & Tamar Mamourian $100
Ms Anahid Mamourian $100
Mrs. Alice Gulesserian $100
Mr. Aris B Babikian $100
Mr. & Dr. Levon & Ani Hasserjian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Arda Keuroghlian $100
Mr. Greg Gulesserian & Family $100
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Ruth Kay $200
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Hourig Koolian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hacik & Hourig Tozcu $100
Mr. Nerses Seraydarian $250
Dr. & Mrs. Vatche & Doris Kerametlian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Nyree Gulesserian $250
Dr. & Mrs. Artin & Eky Ternamian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Zareh & Haproug Arslanian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Mihran & Vartouhi Jizmejian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Dikran & Shirley Aprahamian $100
Mr. Joe Farra $100
Mr. & Mrs. Agop & Shoushik Berberian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Harotion & Sevan Hajinian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Sebouh & Armine Boyajian $100
Mrs. Margarita Odjaghian $50
Dr. & Mrs. Hratch & Knar Kavazanjian $50
The Late Diramayr Shoghik Zargarian, Dirahayr Yeznik Zargarian, Hagob Baghoumian, Balik Baghoumian and
William Samvelyan
Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh and Yeretsgin Naira Zargarian $200
The Late Aratoonians Mrs. Margaritta Odjaghian $200
The Late Stephan Semerdjian Mr. Jack Semerdjian $200
The Late Hacik Boyaci and Haygan Filisyan Mrs. Filor Boyaci $200 (Womens' Guild)
The Late Arakel Guneusucu Mr. Ohannes Demircioglu $200 (Women’s Guild)
The Late Natalia Novikova
Mrs. Victoria Batiaev $50
The Late Ohannes Kassabian Mr. & Mrs. Khoren & Nina Mouradian $100
Mr. Charles Taza $50
Ms Annie Kassamanian $50 Mr. Bedros Tellian $50
Ms Vera & Rebeka Tellian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Onnig & Claris Chopjian $100
Mr. Abboud Ziade $40
Mr. Renee Al Mor $50
Ms Arpi Ashkarian $50
Mrs. Siron Avakian $50
Ms Taline Kazazian $50 Mr. Khattar Maalouf $100
Mr. Andre Abouasi $100
Mr. Aliev Rovshan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Zaina Kabajouzian $100
Mrs. Marie Haddad $50
Mrs. Rose W Kassabian $150
Mr. & Mrs. Yeprem & Lucy Khatcherian $100
Mr. Sebouh Kabajouzian & Tina Sarmazian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hovsep & Sossy Khederlarian $50
Mrs. Ayda Kesisyan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Nasr & Marie Maalouli $75
Mr. & Mrs. Pierre & Joumana Bteich $50
Mr. & Mrs. Raphael & Christina Haddad $100
Mr. Hagop, Setta, and Shant Hovsepian $200
Ms Samantha Morais $100
Mr. & Mrs. Geogre & Audra Chamoun and Family $50
We are happy to announce that Holy Trinity Armenian Church's Sunday School Registration is now open for children 4 years and older. Kindly completetheregistrationformonlineto includeyourchild(ren) fortheyear 2022-23. https://www.torontoarmenianchurch.com/.../sunday school/ ThefirstdayofSundaySchoolisonFeastofHolyCross, 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
