The Shogh Sunday Bulletin Issue # 215 - October 01, 2023

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

Celebrated by:

REV. FR. HAYARI TANASHIAN

Pastor’s Assistant

Choirmaster: Dn. Shahe Altounian

Organist: Mrs. Sona Artinian

6:14-18

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.

Unfortunately, after the Armenian Genocide the whereabouts of the relic are unknown.

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 Armenia, bringing with them the relic of the holy Cross to the land of Ararat.

ՎԱՐԱԳԱՅ ՎԱՆՔԸ ՄՇԱԿՈՅԹԻ ԿԵԴՐՈՆ

կու տայ մշակու-

թային եռուն գոր-

ծունէութեան։

Վարագայ վանքը այնուհետեւ կը դառնայ գաւառի

մշակութային կեդրոնը։ Որոշ ժամանակ մը այս դպրոցին մէջ ուսուցչութիւն ըրած է նաեւ մեծ վիպասան Ռաֆֆին:

ՀԱՅ ԱՌԱՔԵԼԱԿԱՆ ԵԿԵՂԵՑԻՆ ՈՒՆԻ ՍՈՒՐԲ ԽԱՉԻՆ ՆՈՒԻՐՈՒԱԾ ՀԵՏԵՒԵԱԼ ՏՕՆԵՐԸ

Սուրբ Խաչի երեւման

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1st on the feast of ST. GEORGE THE WARRIOR

the following names are celebrated:

KEVORK, KEVO, KEVIG, GEORGE, JORJ, JORJET, JORA

Following the Divine Liturgy individuals who carry the names listed above are invited to receive God’s blessing.

Requested by Cousin, Steve Salibian and family

Cousin, Mike Mouradian and family and the Mandjelekian family

In Memory of

The Late Nora Mandjelekian

She passed away on August 30th, 2023 in Alexandria, Egypt

Requested by Mrs. Warda Khoka

Mr. & Mrs. Vrej Jano and Maral Davidian

Mr. & Mrs. Jan Jano and Araxie Resco

Mrs. Lusin Jano

Mrs. Vera Jano

In Memory of Their Beloved Brother and Nephew

THE LATE EDWAR KHOKAZ

On the 40th day of his passing in Syria

THE LATE GHASSAN KHOKAZ

On the 7th day of his passing in Sweden

Requested by Zakarian Family

In Memory of THE LATE BEDROS ZAKARIAN

On the 40th day of his passing

Requested by Mrs. Arpiné Altounian

In Memory of

THE LATE KEVORK & ZVART NERSOYAN

THE LATE DIKRANOUHI & SHAHEN KHACHATURIAN

Requested by Children & Grandchildren

In Memory of THE LATE GARBIS BOYACI

On the 22nd anniversary of his passing and

THE LATE GULKIZ BOYACI

On the 25th anniversary of her passing

List of Donations between September 23 to 29, 2023

GENERAL

Mr. & Mrs. Mike & Vicki Kesian $200

Mrs. Louisa Kerim $100 (Sunday School)

Anonymous Donor $80

Anonymous Donor $100

LOUMA

Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Ardemis Moushian $20 ALTAR FLOWERS

Ms Bahar Ozturk $100

IN MEMORY OF

The Late Dr. Raymond Kevork

Cecilia Amorim & Family $50

Mr. Sako Makarians $100

The Late Harout Maghakian

Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Carin Talaslian $100

Mr. Vicken Maghakian $100

Mrs. Arpine Maghakian $100

Mrs. Maggy Libarian $100

The Late Robert Akopian

Mr. Danil Akopyan $200

The Late Boghos and Araxie Aghagulian

Mr. Haig Aghagulian $2000

The Late Kevork & Zvart Nersoyan, Kevork, Dikranouhi & Shahen Khachaturian

Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $100

HTAC Humanitarian Fund-Artsakh

Mrs. Maggy Libarian $100

We thank all our donors for supporting Holy Trinity Armenian Church through their heartfelt donations. If you prefer to stay anonymous, please contact the Church office and inform the administration.

Donations may be made: Over the phone: 416 431 3001

E-transfer via: info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com

Cheques payable to: HTAC

The Altar Flowers are sponsored by The family of THE LATE GARBIS AND GULKIZ BOYACI

Arrangements provided by Flowers of the World

Following the Divine Liturgy, Memorial Receptions will be hosted by the families of THE ԼATE BEDROS ZAKARIAN THE LATE EDWAR KHOKAZ and THE LATE GHASSAN KHOKAZ

in lower level of the church

Vicar of Armenian Church

Canadian Diocese and Parish Priest

Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian

Pastor’s Assistant

Rev. Fr. Hayari Tanashian

Church Office Hours:

Monday to Friday - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Executive Secretary, Ani Sarvarian

Ani@TorontoArmenianChurch.com

Administrative Secretary, Betty Panossian

Betty@TorontoArmenianChurch.com

920 Progress Ave. Toronto, ON, M1G 3T5 Tel: 416 431 3001

www.TorontoArmenianChurch.com

info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com

@TorontoArmenianChurch.com