- SHOGH
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
GALATIANS
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.
համաձայն
ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH 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
Mrs. Vivian Topjian
Dr. & Mrs. Gerald and Thilda Topjian and son, Lucas Garo Topjian
Dr. Christine Topjian
Mr. & Mrs. Berj and Joy Basmajian
Mr. & Mrs. Neshan and Diana Mandjelikian and family
Mr. Gerry Kassabian and family
Mr. Kirkor Cagliuzun and family
In Memory of Their Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle DR. GARO HAIG TOPJIAN
On the 40th day of his passing
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Chris & Aghavni Chakmakian Shant Chakmakian
Mr. & Mrs. Manoog & Ani Asik and family
Mr. Vahagn Gayayan and family
In Memory of Their Beloved and Cherished Parents and Grandparents, THE LATE HAROUTIOUN & PIROUZA GAYAYAN
Requested by
Mrs. Gueran Hovassapian
Mr. Hagop Hovassapian
Ms. Carol Kilajian and family
In Memory of THE LATE NAZARETH HOVASSAPIAN
THE LATE MATHEUS AND ARSHALOUYS KALBIAN
THE LATE HAGOP & GULUZAR HOVASSAPIAN
Requested by Archac Garabetian
Zoya Bedoyan and children, Hrant, Maral, Pateel
Sylva & Hagop Kouyoumdjian and daughters, Natalie & Daniel Debicki and children Isabella & Eva
Nyrie & Michael Sagsoz
Sonia & Iskhan Sahagian and children, Sara, Christopher & Alec
Houri & Ardem Sahakian and children, Raffi & Aren
Marina & Boghos Hairabetian and daughter, Taline
In Memory of
Their Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother
THE LATE ROZINE GARABETIAN
On the 1st anniversary of her passing THE LATE KEVORK GARABETIAN
On the 11th anniversary of passing
Requested by
Mrs. Vartouhi Boyaci
Ms Bahar Ozturk
Mr. Murat Ozturk
In Memory of THE LATE GULKIZ BOYACI THE LATE GARBIS BOYACI
On Sunday, September 29th, following the Divine Liturgy, Memorial Receptions will be hosted by the families of the late
THE LATE ROZINE & KEVORK GARABETIAN THE LATE HAROUTIOUN & PIROUZA GAYAYAN
in lower level of the church
Altar flowers are sponsored by MRS. VIVIAN TOPJIAN AND HER FAMILY
In loving memory of DR. GARO TOPJIAN
Arrangements by Ann’s Flowers
List of Donations between September 21- 27, 2023
GENERAL
Dr. & Mrs. Raffy & Sonya Chouljian $1,000
Mrs. Lorans Ohanis Nalbandian $200
Anonymous Donor $80
Mr. & Mrs. Mike & Vicki Kesian $200
Mrs. Gayane Mkrtchyan $150
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj and Rose Marie Tanielian $11, 905
THE LATE ARIS SIANOS SARKISAIN
Mrs. Lorans Ohanis Nalbandian $100
THE LATE GARBIS & GULKIZ BOYACI
Ms Bahar Ozturk $100
THE BELOVED DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS
Mrs. AnaheedHagopian $50
THE LATE KRIKOR BOYADJIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Betty Minassian $50
THE LATE AGOP ANOUSHIAN
Mr. Panos Anoushian $50
THE LATE MAKROUHI KERESTEDJIAN-OHANNESIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Carla Shahinian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Sami Abraham & Lala Avedissian $160
THE
LATE CLARA VARESH
Mr. Karapet Varesh $200
Mr. & Mrs. John & Margritt Satouri $100
THE LATE GAGIK GHAZANTCHIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Armen & Elza Ghazantchian $100
LOUMA
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Lisa Artinian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom & Vivian Mirzoyan $50
APPRECIATION
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.
Tel:
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