SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
SYNAXIS READINGS
Acts 20: 17-38
1 John 3: 2-6
John 9: 39- 10:10
MORNING SERVICE at 9:30 am
DIVINE LITURGY a t 10:30 am
Celebrated by REV. FR. HAYARI TANASHIAN
Pastor’s Assistant
Choirmaster Dn. Shahe Altounian
Organist Mrs. Sona Artinian
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, a we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. JOHN
9: 39- 10: 10
Jesus said, a “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
Some Pharisees, who were with him, heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore, Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. a They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
երկրի վրայ մնաց քառասուն օրեր եւս: Այդ 40 օրերու ընթացքին
Յիսուս շարունակեց քարոզել` երեւնալով իր աշակերտներուն: Ան կը խօսէր
երկնքի արքայութեան մասին, կը յուսադրէր ու կը քաջալերէր զանոնք, որպէսզի կարողանան աներկիւղ քարոզել Աւետարանը: Այդ ընթացքին, Յիսուս կը պատուիրէ իր առաքեալներուն երթալ Ձիթենեաց լեռը, ուր կ'օրհնէ զանոնք, ու իր վերջին պատգամներն ու յորդորները տալով կը բարձրանայ երկինք՝
բազմելու Հօր
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION
On Thursday May 18, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate one of its ecumenical feasts: the Feast of Holy Ascension or Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Feast of Ascension celebrates the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the fortieth day following his resurrection. Following His Resurrection, Christ remained on earth for forty days, and continued to appear to His disciples and talk to them about the Kingdom of God. On the fortieth day, Christ blessed his disciples, gave them last instructions and encouraged them to continue preaching the Gospel. Then he started to ascend to heaven.
“As they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11).
Just like Easter the Feast of Ascension is movable and falls on 40th day after Easter, which is always a Thursday.
Ծաղկեփունջերէ ամենամեծը՝ Ծաղկամերը, խաչի
FOLK TRADITIONS OF THE FEAST OF ASCENTION
• The Ascension Day celebrations used to begin on Wednesday. That day was called Sunday of Tsaghkamayr. According to tradition, Tsaghkamayre refers to the Christian nun Varvara, who ran away from her pagan father and found refuge in a cave on the Mountain of Ara. Eventually, her father found her in the cave and killed her. Just before her death, she asked God, who heal children who had smallpox and measles. Her prayer was answered. The cave became a place of pilgrimage and is called Tsagkevank. Every year on the feast of Ascension many pilgrims go to a pilgrimage to Tsagkevanq on the mount Ara (Kotayk Province, Armenia).
• The girls also made beautiful bouquets from the flowers they collected from the fields. The largest of them was called Tsaghkamer, was shaped as a cross and was made for the church.
• On the feast of Ascension it was popular to have a Jangyulum vijagakhagh and flower gathering. For the vijaghakhagh, the girls would collect water from 7 springs and 7 different colours, put them in jar and add the belongings of young girls.
Another young girl dressed in white would start take the belongings one at a time. They believed that the girl, whose belonging was picked first, would get married that year. The other girls would get a small scroll that supposedly is a prediction about their future.
• On Thursday morning, the women prepared the traditional Gatnabour, cooked with milk and rice, somewhat similar to rice pudding. It was distributed to neighbors, friends or at least to seven households. Gatnabour was also distributed in the fields, to have a successful harvest. After this traditional dish the Feast of Ascension was also called the feast of Gatnabour.
• Starting from the Feast of Ascension until Vardavar, many people would abstain from going to the holy sites for pilgrimages. During that time the faithful, and especially those, who could not have children, would start fasting. The fast concluded on the feast of the Transfiguration, when they went on a pilgrimage to the famous monastery of St. Garabed of Moush.
DID YOU KNOW?...
In the Armenian Church, there is another reason to commemorate Ascension Day. On this date in 1441, the throne of the Catholicos of All Armenians was returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the city of Vagharshapat after a thousand years of being settled in various cities throughout the country. Following a resolution of the National Assembly gathered in Vagharshapad, the Patriarchal See was relocated from the city of Sis in Western Armenia to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Following his vision of Christ striking the ground with a golden hammer, St. Gregory the Illuminator had founded the Cathedral
of Holy Etchmiadzin in 303. However, less than 200 years later, in 484, the Patriarchal See was forced to relocate, and for the next 1000 years, settled in various cities throughout Armenia.
In Christian iconography the Mandorla, (Italian: “almond”) is and almond- shaped aureole of light surrounding the entire figure of Christ and is the most concise way to express His majesty, glory and divinity in holy icons. It had become a standard attribute of Christ in scenes such as Transfiguration, the Ascension and in other scenes involving the resurrected or celestia l Christ. The mandorla is used to show the glory which is beyond what we see. This is why the mandorla is found surrounding Jesus in Icons of the Ascension, Transfiguration revealing His divinity.
On Ascension of our Lord, the following names are celebrated:
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Zading and Nvart Mirzoyan and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Khachig and Zvart Mirzoyan and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom and Vivian Mirzoyan and Family
In Memory of Their beloved Grandparents, Parents and Siblings
THE LATE GHUGAS SARKIS MIRZOYAN
On the 80th anniversary of his passing
THE LATE ORDARK SAHAG MIRZOYAN
On the 49th anniversary of her passing
THE LATE HAYGAZ KRIKOR MIRZOYAN
On the 49th anniversary of his passing
THE LATE KRIKOR GHUGAS MIRZOYAN
On the 37th anniversary of his passing
THE LATE AGHAVNIG KRIKOR MIRZOYAN
On the 38th anniversary of her passing
THE LATE NEMZAR STEPHAN MIRZOYAN
On the 15th anniversary of her passing
Requested by Mrs. Siran Hampartsoum
Mr. Fuad Garabed
In Memory of
THE LATE VARTOUHI ARAKELIAN
THE LATE HAYGANOUSH ABDEL AHAD
THE LATE LERNIG DZADOURIAN
The Altar flowers are Sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian
On the joyous occasion of their Grandchildren
Sienna Dedic’s and Razmig Osheen Beylerian’s
Christening
Arrangements by Ann’s Flowers
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
We thank you sincerely for your support!
List of Donations from May 6 to 12, 2023
GENERAL
Mr. Yesai Libarian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Razmik & Amy Nevasartian $100
Dr. & Mrs. Harry & Christine Sakarya $50
Mr. & Mrs. Harutyun & Alis Akcasu $100
Anonymous Donor $100
MEMBERSHIP 2023
Mr. Noubar Kokorian $80
ALTAR FLOWERS
Mr. & Mrs. Gulbenk & Araxi Kedilerli $100 (May 7, 2023)
Dr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian $100 (May 14, 2023)
LOUMA
Mrs. Lucy Garabedian $50
Ms Goharik Mirzaian $100
IN MEMORY OF
The Late Karine Muradyan
Mr. & Mrs. Tigran & Anna Vardanyan $60
The Late Vasken Musliyan
Mr. Sasun Musliyan $100
The Late Marie Jeanne Donikian
Mr. & Mrs. Vatche & Rebecca Koukounian $150
The Late Beverly Keoprulian
Mr. Levon Keoprulian $100
The Late Anouch Sargsian
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $50
The Late Raffy Hanimyan
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Maggy Karak &200
Mr. Dikran Cicek $50
Mr. & Mrs. Andy & Najda Zada $50
Mr. & Mrs. Masis & Aida Afarian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Madat & Tamar Mamourian $50
Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $100
Miss Araxie Altounian $100
Mrs. Sara Tomasian $25
Mr. Armen Baltayan $100
Mrs. Grace Eudemishlian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Tili Isnar $50
Mrs. Anush Kuyumcu $50
Mr. & Mrs. Harutun & Tanya Harutunian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hayik & Guluzar Goren $150
Mr. & Mrs. Apraham & Silva Atik $50
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Silva Mermer $100
Mr. Karnig Tatosoglu $70
Mrs. Zarmine Zabunyan & Ms Karin Zabunyan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Rodolf & Marie Carkci $50
Mr. & Mrs. Apic & Rosine Imasdounian $100
Mrs. Sirvart Mikaelian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Arto Hacherian $50
Ms. Nairi Hamparian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Apet Alpay $150
Ms Yasmin Alpay $100
Mr. Ari Sahakian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Rita Vasilyan $100
Mr. Stephen Tchilinguerian $50
Ms Leda Kazazyan $100
Mrs. Siran Mezikyan $100
The Late Diruhi Vilma Kedijian
Deacon & Mrs. Krikor & Anais Tozak $200
The Late Arsaluys Celil
Mr. & Mrs. Gulbenk & Araxi Kedilerli $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hovsep & Ani Mardian $50
The Holy Trinity Armenian Church's Sunday School Registration continues for children 4 years and older.
Kindly complete the registration form online to include your child(ren) for the year 2022-23.
https://www.torontoarmenianchurch.com/.../sunday-school/
The Sunday School is 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
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