ՇՈՂ - SHOGH
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (EVE OF THE FAST OF ST. HAGOP)
SYNAXIS READINGS ISAIAH 37.14-38
2 THESSALONIANS 1։1-12 LUKE 14։12-24
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
2 THESSALONIANS 1։1-12
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus
may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
LUKE 14։12-24
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
EVE OF THE FAST OF ST. JAMES
This Sunday, December 8, is the Eve of the Fast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis. This five-day fast starts on Monday till Friday. During Fast of St. James, the faithful give up food of animal origin and consume only vegetarian food.
Just like St. Sarkis's fast, during the Fast of St. James some faithful follow a much stricter fast and abstain from all kinds of food for 1 or 3 days (Dzom). According the folk traditions, for the fasting engaged girls their future in-laws would send gifts and a special sweet called 'St. Hagop's Helva'.
Let us not forget, that fasting is not just the rejection of animal food, but it is also a time to to cleanse our minds and hearts from fallacies; time to repent, pray and lead a virtuous life.
հանապազօրեայ
ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBIS
This Saturday, December 17, is the Feast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis (Mdzbin). St. Hagop was born and died in the city of Nisibis (Nusbyien) located in what is now days southeastern Turkey. He was the second bishop of Nisibis and was called the "MosesofMesopotamia" for his wisdom and wonderworking abilities. Some sources say he was the cousin of St. Gregory the Illuminator. St. James was from the Parthian dynasty and the nephew of St. Gregory the Enlightener. When the family members of Anak the Parthian were killed, nurses secretly fled to Caesarea, taking with them the infant James. In Caesarea, they were educated in the Christian faith. Later he returned to Nisibis. He was the student of Hermit St. Marouge and the spiritual father of the renowned Christian theologian St. Ephrem the Assyrian, one of the 12 Holy Fathers of Universal church.
St. Hagop of Mdzbin (St. James) is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church. He is honoured in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, Catholic churches, and especially in Syriac and Armenian Orthodox Churches. According to St. Ephrem, St. Hagop founded the basilica and theological School of Nisibis.
In 320 he was ordained as the Bishop of Nibisis by Bishop Melitus. and in 325 participated in the first ecumenical council in Nicaea where he earned great respect from the Emperor Constantine and the other church fathers. On several occasions, with his prayers St. Hagop saved Nisbis from Persian invasions.
St. Hagop died peacefully at an old age in 338 A.D, or according to other sources in 350 A. D. His relics were taken to Constantinople in 970 A.D. and became the subject of great honour.
In the Armenian religious literature his name is known by the book entitled "The Wise", which has been translated from Assyrian in the 5th century. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Feast of St. Hagopof Nisibis is celebrated on the Saturday between December12-18 together with Hermit Marougue and Bishop Melitos. This day is marked by special celebrations in all Armenian churches baring the name of St. Hagop.
Հաւատացեալները
DID YOU KNOW?
- On the Feast day of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis, by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians the relic of St. Jacob is taken to a church bearing his name.
The faithful will have the opportunity to receive blessing of the relic and pray for St. James's intercession, as he is considered as a patron saint of protecting from diseases and temptations.
On this occasion, a special Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the St. James Church of Ararat. Following the Divine Liturgy there will be a blessing ceremony for everyone named Hagop and those with Hagopian last names.
- St. James was determined to find Noah's Ark as a proof for skeptics. He started his ascent to the peak of Mount Ararat, but it proved to be very difficult to reach to the top. But St. James did not give up. For his determination God had sent an angel in his dream, who left him a piece of the Noah's Ark. According to tradition, in the place where St. James had lain down and received the relic of Noah's Ark a cold stream appeared with healing and miraculous qualities. Later a church bearing the Saint’s name was built nearby the stream (St. Hagop church of Akor). This relic from Noah's Ark was of an imputrescible wood, that is now kept at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.
In
Memory of
THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN 1988
Requested by
Anita & Ohan Ohanessian
Dina & Sevag Demirjian, children Ruben & David
Abcar Ohanessian
Anne Ohanessian
Taleen Ohanessian & Joel Fraser
In Memory of Their Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother
THE LATE SETA MELCONIAN-TAJIRIAN
On the 40th day of her passing in Los Angeles
Private Reception in Artinian Hall
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Hovhannes and Nazig Chilingirian and families
Mr. & Mrs. Mardig and Berdjuhi Chilingirian and families
Ms. Arusiag Chilingirian
Mr. & Mrs. Yerchan and Helen Chilingirian and families
Mr. Vrej Chilingirian
Shakeh Chilingirian
In Memory of Their Beloved Brother, Husband and Uncle THE LATE RAFE CHILINGIRIAN
On the 40th day of his passing
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Dikran & Lena Torossian and Family
In Memory of Their beloved Father and Grandfather THE LATE ARAKEL ARAKELIAN
on the 40th day of his passing in Lebanon
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Maggie Garakyan
Mr. & Mrs. Artak & Karin Tatevosyan and son Andre
In Memory of THE LATE BENON MINASOGLU
On the 40th day of his passing
Requested by
The Arzoumanova, Batikian and Movel families and friends
In Memory of Their Beloved Sister and Friend
THE LATE ELZA POGHOSOVA
Who passed away in Yerevan
Requested by Mrs. Armineh Megerdichian-Azad
Ani Megerdichian-Azad and JP Persaud
Celine Megerdichian-Azad
Vachik Megerdichian-Azad
In Memory of Their Beloved Husband, Father and Brother
THE LATE VAHIK MEGERDICHIAN-AZAD
On the first anniversary of his passing
Requested by Mrs. Verjin Eginliyan
Mr. Levon Eginliyan and Family
Mrs. Arpi Oymakas and Family
In Memory of THE LATE MIGIRDIC EGINlIYAN
On the 2nd anniversary of his passing
Requested by
Mr.& Mrs. Harout & Rita Yacoubian and daughters, Mary & Tamar
Mr.& Mrs. George & Arousyag Tahtajian and Family
In Memory of
THE LATE LEVON NAHABEDIAN
On the 1st anniversary of his passing as well as in memory of THE LATE BAHIA NAHABEDIAN
On the 19th anniversary of her passing
And all deceased members of Yacoubian & Nahabedian Families
Requested by
Mr. Haig Aghagulian
Mr. Vahan Aghagulian and family
In Memory of Their Beloved Parents and Grandparents
THE LATE BOGHOS AGHAGOULIAN
On the 34th anniversary of his passing
And THE LATE
ARAXI AGHAGOULIAN
On the 21st anniversary of her passing as well as
In Memory of all deceased members of THE MELKONIAN AND KUCUK GOZEN FAMILIES
Requested by Ms Rose Aharonian
In Memory of THE LATE SHOUSHAN KHERBEGUIAN on the 42nd anniversary of her passing
Requested by Rita Manjosonian
In Memory of
THE LATE AVEDIS ARMAGHANIAN
Requested by
Mr. Rafik Alexandri
Mr. Norik Alexandri
In Memory of THE LATE SOUREN ALEXANDRI
Who passed away in Armenia
Requested by Torgomian Family
In Memory of THE LATE VARTAN & VARTITER TOMASSIAN as well as the deceased members of BEDROSIAN, TORKOMIAN, KRIKORIAN,
MURADKHANIAN, BABLOIAN, YERITSIAN FAMILIES
Requested by Mrs. Verjik Babakhany
Mrs. Carol Parseghian & Mr. Armen Babayan and children, Daniel and Lilian
Ms. Katherine Parseghian
Mrs. Lida Parseghian & Mr. Ludvig Haghverdian Eric and Eileen Haghvardian and families
In Memory of Their Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother
THE LATE EDIK PARSEGHIAN
On the 40th day of his passing in Tehran
List of Donations between November 30- December 6, 2024
96TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH
Levon & Perouz Babayan Foundation $26,000
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Grace Tchaglassian $3,000.00
Dr. Isabelle Basmajian $2,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Joy Bedrosyan $1,800.00
Mr. & Mrs. John & Margritt Satouri $1,000.00
Deacon Shahe and Mrs. Maria Altounian $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Narine Zakharyan $1,000.00
Dr. Garo and Mrs. Karin Damla $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Hovig & Taline Moushian $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Silva Mermer $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Rose Marie Tanielian $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Andre & Seza Nazarian $1,000.00
Mr. Richard Sevazlian $1,000.00
Dr. Cyril & Mrs. Noushig Tahtadjian $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Tili Isnar $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Karen & Inessa Darbinyan $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Samvel Davlatian $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Zadig & Nvart Mirzoyan $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Khatchig & Zvart Mirzoyan $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom and Vivian Mirzoyan $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Jirair & Anahid Vartanian $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Takvor & Lucy Hopyan $1,000.00
Mr. & Mrs. Bedros & Sonia Kokorian $1,000.00
Design By Jesse LTD. $1,000.00
Anonymous Donor $1,000.00
Fr. Zareh & Mrs. Naira Zargarian $500.00
Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $500.00
Ms. Knar Basmadjian $500.00
Ms. Kealy Elise Wharram $500.00
Ms. Frances Kandaharian $500.00
Deacon Darius Gumushdjian $500.00
Ms. Lara B Gumushdjian $500.00
Ms. Hasmig Kurdian $500.00
Mr. & Mrs. Vartan & Sonia Der Ohanesian $500.00
Mr. & Mrs. Vazken & Ani Altounian $500.00
Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Yeran Kelledjian $500.00
Mr. & Mrs. Kegham and Vivian Kokorian $500.00
Barev Youth $450
Deacon Garbis & Mrs. Anahid Cicekian $350.00
Mr. & Mrs. Zadeek and Seta Hettan Gorgisian $300.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Tamara Sahakian $300.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Vartouhi Muradyan $300.00
Mr. & Mrs. Samvel & Susanna Harutyunyan $300.00
Mr. & Mrs. Jirayr & Bahar Evren $250.00
Mrs. Lena Ouzounian $250.00
Mr. & Mrs. Migirdic & AniMigirdicyan $250.00
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $250.00
Mrs. Ani Sarvarian $250.00
Ms. Migan Megardichian $200.00
Mr. & Mrs. George & Sis Abajian $200.00
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop and Dalita Dokmecian$200.00
Azadouhi, Maggy, Marie Kebabjian $200.00
Armenian Association of Toronto $200.00
Mr. & Mrs. Masis and Roubina Zargarian $200.00
Mrs. Rakel Salibian $200.00
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $200.00
Mrs. Rita Musluyan $200.00
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork and Sossy Barounian $200.00
Mrs. Hripsik Sarkissian $200.00
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Ardemis Moushian $200.00
Mrs. Hera Kavukian $200.00
Mr. & Mrs. Hrayr and Nrane Tadevosyan and son, Hayk $181.00
Ms. Jayran Martin $150.00
Ms. Silvia Alexanian $150.00
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Sona Chahinian $150.00
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Patil Demirji $150.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Makruhi Karak $150.00
Mrs. Betty Panossian $150.00
Deacon Krikor & Mrs. Anais Tozak $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Jirayr and Houry Aznavourian $100.00
Mrs. Taline Gumushdjian $100.00
Anonymous Donor $100.00
Ms. Sareen Tourabian $100.00
Ms. Nairy Tourabian $100.00
Ms. Alis Spanos $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Armen and Elza Ghazantchian $200.00
Mr. Ruben Galstyan $100.00
Mrs. Lorans Ohanis Nalbandian $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ardashes & Hripsik Sinani $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Asik Ayvazian $100.00
Mr. Stephen Tchilinguerian $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Vergine Karabulut $100.00
Mrs. Sonia Artinian $100.00
Dr. Nurel & Mrs. Lena Beylerian $100.00
Mrs. Diyana Zabunyan $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Bogos & Canet Guraslan $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Madat and Tamar Mamourian $100.00
Mrs. Sela Tossounian $100.00
Mr. & Mrs. Zohrab Kazandjian $100.00
Mr. Gor Ghazantchian $50.00
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Anita Mirzoyan $50.00
Mr. & Mrs. Ashot & Lora Vardanyan $50.00
Mr. Askan Belderian $50.00
CHRISTMAS OFFERING
Anonymous Donors $1800
Ms Bette Ounjian $200
Dr. Isabelle Basmajian $100
Mr. James Jackman $50
GENERAL
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Tamara Sahakian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Tigran & Anna Grigoryan $100
Anonymous Donor $75
Mr. & Mrs. John & Margritt Satouri $30
Ms Hilda Eramian $20
LOUMA
Mr. & Mrs. Hovig & Taline Moushian $100
IN MEMORY OF
THE LATE WILLIAM SAMVELIAN
Fr. Zareh & Yeretsgin Naira Zargarian $150
Mrs. Armine Samvelyan $50
THE LATE BENON MINASOGLU
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Makruhi Karak $100
THE LATE SHOUSHAN KHERBEGUIAN
Ms Rose Aharonian $100
BELOVED DEPARTED SOULS OF KANDAHARIAN FAMILY
Mrs. Arshaluys Kandaharian $100
Mr. Abraham Kandaharian $100
MEMBERSHIP
Mrs. Hera Kavukian $80
Mr. Hamparsum Sahsuvaroglu $80
Mrs. Liz Sahsuvaroglu $80
Mr. Edik Gragrisian $80
Mrs. Karolin Irapetian $80
ALTAR FLOWERS
Rose Aharonian $100
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.
Donations may be made: Over the phone: 416 431 3001
E-transfer via: info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com
Cheques payable to: HTAC
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