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
FollowingDivineLiturgyProcessionoftheHolyCross followedbytheblessinganddistributionof“Harissa’’and“Rehan”
GALATIANS 6:14-18
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which a 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.
JOHN 3:13-21
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, hat everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
FEAST OF EXALTATION OF HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 17, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This is the last of the five tabernacle feasts on our church calendar. The Exaltation refers to the return of the True Cross (on which Christ was crucified) from imprisonment and its ceremonious elevation.
In 610 A. D, the Persian King Khosrov attacks the Byzantine Empire and in 614 A. D. the Persian army enters Jerusalem. The Persians seized the Cross of our Lord and took it to Persia. 14 years later, the Emperor Heraclius recaptured the Cross. First he took it to Constantinople, passing by the Armenian city of Garin and 3 years later back to Jerusalem. Patriarch Zakariah of Jerusalem decorated the Cross with flowers and elevated it on the Hill of Calvary. The other traditional churches celebrate this Feast on September 14th but the Armenian Church celebrates Feast of Exaltation of Holy Cross on the Sunday nearest to September 14th .
THE TRADITIONS OF FEAST OF HOLY CROSS
On the Feast of Khatchverats Pilgrimages would take place, especially to churches and monasteries caring the name of the Holy Cross. One of the most famous pilgrimage sites was the monastery of Holy Cross near Karin.
For the feast, the main cross of the church was decorated especially with basil leaves. This decorated cross would lead the procession of Andastan. At the end of the procession the basil was distributed to the faithful. People also call basil the flower of Cross.
On the occasion of the feast in the province of Vasbouragan it was customary to bake a special bread with herbs and share it with poor.
In the region of Musa Dagh, during the Feast of Exaltation of Holy Cross the pilgrims would go to the monastery of St. Thomas the Apostle. They would bring the animals for offering and the wheat to prepare
traditional harissa. Preparation of harissa was considered to be the privilege of the pilgrims from the village of Yoghounolouk
The Saturday preceding the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the eve of the feast, this year September 10. That day, as well as the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross are the feasts of the Holy Church.
This feast commemorates the completion and the consecration of Church of holy Sepulcher by the initiative of IV century Empress Helena. In our church Navagadik also means the first dedication or the anniversary of dedication for any newly built church.
The Armenian church celebrates Navagadik on the eve of the big feast days as well. The main feasts, such as the five Tabernacle feasts of the Armenian church have Navagadik on the eve of each feast. In this case, Navagadik means that the fast before each feast prohibiting the use of any animal product becomes less strict. After the Divine Liturgy, the fasting Faithful are permitted to use dairy products and fish. For 5 tabernacle feasts the use of dairy product and fish is allowed on Saturday: after the morning Liturgy for the Feasts of Vartavar, Assumption of Holy Mother of God and Feast of Holy Cross after the Evening Jeragaluyts Mass for the feasts of Holy Nativity and the Holy Resurrection.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tradition has it, that on its way to the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Cross passed through Armenia and was placed in somewhere near the city of Karin (Erzrum). From the place, where the Holy Cross was left, spring water started to flow and later it became a place of pilgrimage. Near the place the Monastery of the Holy Cross was built and the tallest peak of the mountain range was called Khachapayd.
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
In Armenian Apostolic church faithful make the sign of the Cross by joining the thumb, index finger and middle finger of the right hand as the symbol of Holy Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit,and fold ring finger and pinkie together against the palm as a symbol of oneness of two natures of Jesus Christ.
They place the right hand, as described above, first on the forehead saying, "In the name of the Father", then a little below the chest saying, "and the Son", then on the left side of the chest saying, "and the Holy", then on the right side of the chest saying, "Spirit", and end with placing the opened palm in the center of the chest saying, "Amen"
ՄԵՐ ՀԱՒԱՏԱՑԵԱԼՆԵՐԸ ՍՏԱՆԱԼՈՒ ԱՍՏՈՒԾՈՅ ՕՐՀՆՈՒԹԻՒՆԸ:
ON SEPTEMBER 17th IS THE FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
ON THIS OCCASION THE FOLLOWING NAMES ARE CELEBRATED:
KHACHIG, KHACHADOUR, KHACHERES, KHACHER, KHACHO, KHECHO, KHACHANOUSH, REHAN
FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY INDIVIDUALS WHO CARRY THE NAMES LISTED BELOW ARE INVITED TO RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSING.
THE PRIEST'S BLESSING
During the service the Priest will blesses faithful and objects with the Sign of the Cross: The Priest's hand is held to form his fingers into the Christogram “ICXC” a traditional abbreviation of the Greek words for “Jesus Christ”. The IC XC are the first and last letter in the name “Jesus”, or IHCOYC in Greek, and the first and last letter in the name “Christ”, or XPICTOC in Greek.
List of Donations September 9 to 15, 2023
ALTAR FLOWERS
Mr. & Mrs. Samvel & Susanna Harutyunyan $100 (September 10)
LOUMA
Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Allen & Sonia Atamer $200
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom & Vivian Mirzoyan $50
GENERAL
Mr. Filbos Gevikoglu $200 (Women’s Guild)
Mr. & Mrs. Shahin & Varteni Cancik $200 (Women's Guild)
Mr. & Mrs. Edmond & Alina Ayvazyan $200 (Women's Guild)
Mr. & Mrs. Yesai & Salpi Rubenyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Tigran & Nayia Osipov $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hrayr & Nrane Tadevosyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Beth Rubenyan $50
Anonymous Donor $20
Ms. Nora Sarkissian $30
Mr. & Mrs. Hendrik & Elma Khachadoorian $100
Mrs. Gayane Mkrtchyan $100
Mr. Hartion Yaghia $20
MEMBERSHIP 2023
Mr. Vartan Abrahamian $80
Mr. Hendrik Khachadoorian $80
Mrs. Elma Khachadoorian $80
MEMBERSHIP 2024
Mr. Hendrik Khachadoorian $80
Mrs. Elma Khachadoorian $80
IN MEMORY OF
THE LATE KARNEEK VARJABEDIAN
Hripsime Varjabedian $130
THE LATE NARGIS HAMAYAK KORBANIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Valya & Wissam Ghazarian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Janet Ter Hovakimian $40
Mr. & Mrs. Arakel & Nora Khachikian $50
THE LATE VARTANUS CANCIK
Mr. & Mrs. Shahin & Varteni Cancik $200
THE LATE SOSSI TOPALIAN
Mr. & Mrs. George & Maria Anoushian $50
THE LATE ALEXANDER PAYLAN
Mrs. Diana Paylan $200 (Women’s Guild)
THE LATE AGOP ANOUSHIAN
Mr. Panos Anoushian $50
THE LATE GHASSAN KHOKAS
Mr. & Mrs. Vuresh & Maral Jano $150
THE LATE MARG AGHAJANIAN
Mayis Adatkhalian $40
THE LATE ANOUSH DERMARDIROSIAN
Ms Azadohe Kebabjian & Sisters $20
THE LATE ARSHALUYS EHRAMJIAN
Ms Azadohe Kebabjian & Sisters $20
THE LATE DAVID HARUTYUNYAN
Mr. & Mrs. Samvel & Susanna Harutyunyan $150
THE LATE HAGOP ALTOUNIAN
Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $100
THE LATE SIRVARD & KHATCHIG KURDIAN
Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $100
THE LATE HAGOP CAVIKOGLU
Mr. Filbos Gevikoglu $500
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
On the occasion of FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS the basils are donated by MR. & MRS. HOVIC AND NARINE BOYADJIAN
In loving memory of their father ARTIN BOYADJIAN and MR. & MRS. HAGOP AND RITA ARTINIAN
In loving memory of their sister MISS MARIE ARTINIAN
souls find solace.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD
Monday, September 18, 2023
Requiem Service at 10:30 am
At York Cemetery, Section 3 at the site of Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument 160 Beecroft Rd. Toronto M2N 5Z5
Followed by the blessing of individual graves.
To schedule the blessing of your loved ones’ graves, please contact the Church office at 416-431-3001
On the occasion of 95th Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church
$3000 Travel Voucher with a YYZ Travel Group Advisor
$2000 Mountain Bikes x 2
$1500 Value Jewelry
A Pair of Gold Earrings
$700 Value Golf for 4
$500 Travel Voucher from VACATION TRAVEL
$500 Value 3 piece Bugatti Luggage Set
$500 DERMA BAR Voucher for Cosmetic Treatments
Original Painting from a Montreal Artist
One-Year Membership at LA Fitness
Two Tickets to a Blue Jays Game for 2024 Season
Two Tickets to a Canadian Opera Company Performance
A Pair of AirPods
Laptop
Lavash Restaurant Voucher
Volkes Wagon Care Pack
Wines from Cosecha Wines and Hare Winery
Armenian Wine Case of 6 Bottles
Vegan Cheese Platter and much more amazing prizes…
ես լոյսը, դո՜ւն ես կեանքը, դո՜ւն ես քաւաութիւնը,դուն ի՜նքդ ես անմահութիւնը
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
