Press Office
On Sunday, April 13, 2014, the Holy Trinity Armenian Church welcomed parishioners to celebrate Palm Sunday. Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, the Pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy accompanied by the Deacons, Sub Deacons and the Church Choir led by Mr. Shahe Altounian with Mrs. Sona Artinian on the organ. Immediately after the Liturgy, the Opening of the Great Door (Դռնբացէք) took place, followed by the Children’s Procession. The members of Armenian Church Youth Organization of Canada (Seniors and Juniors) participated in Sunday Mass and were invited to the Holy Altar where they received a special blessing from Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian and were praised for their dedication and devotion to the church.
Following the Liturgy, everyone was invited to the Margaros Artinian Hall to enjoy the Palm Sunday Annual Luncheon, organized and hosted by the Senior ACYOC and assisted by the Junior ACYOC members. A very warm and festive atmosphere, great food, friends, and family, completed by a cultural programme provided by the youth made this another memorable Palm Sunday Luncheon.
We would like to acknowledge Mrs. Rosin Imasdounian, Miss. Ingrid Yanekian and Mr. Ohannes Derohanessian for their unconditional help and support to the ACYOC members. Special thanks to Arev Minasoglu, Daron Mardirossian, Sevag & Sareen Avakian for their artistic talents and their contribution to the cultural programme of the day.
A special appreciation to the executive members of Armenian Church Youth Organization of Canada, Toronto Chapter, and their chairpersons: Diran Parnakoglou (Seniors) and Elizabeth Walsh (Juniors) for their tireless work in bringing the Armenian Youth together and organizing memorable events for all. The successful Palm Sunday Luncheon was made possible by the supporters and friends of Holy Trinity Armenian Church – ACYOC. Thank you and we look forward to having you with us on the upcoming events.
Holy Maundy Thursday is dedicated to the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ and symbolizes the establishment of the Sacrament of Communion. On April 17, 2014, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Holy Trinity Armenian Church by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, accompanied by Deacons and choir members.The parishioners were invited to the luncheon organized by the Women’s Guild.
The evening prayers were led by Fr. Zargarian, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Datev Menengichian. Following the order of our Lord Jesus Christ, Fr. Zargarian conducted the washing and anointing the feet with blessed oil. St. Sahag – St. Mesrop Armenian Saturday School’s grade eight students took part in this ceremony with their teacher, Mr. Antranik Tchilingirian.
In the evening of Holy Maundy Thursday, a solemn service was held, which is the introduction to Good Friday. Tenebrea service (Խաւարում) symbolizes the Crucifixion, Death and Burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gospel readings during the service recall the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, His betrayal, arrest, and the denial of Peter.
On Good Friday the parishioners gathered to attend the Burial Service of our Lord Jesus Christ. The symbolic tomb was decorated as the faithful laid flowers on it. See photos…
On April 19, Easter Eve, the Scripture reading of Books of the Prophets started at 5:30PM. Special thanks to Mrs. Sirvart Mikaelian for preparing the readers for this important day.
His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhanissian, Locum Tenens of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy. At the end of the service, His Eminence delivered an inspirational sermon about the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, emphasising two important messages: love one another; treat others as you want to be treated. Following Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered in the church lobby for the traditional House Blessing service. The Parish Council served chocolates, coloured eggs and the traditional “cheureg”. See photos…
On Easter Sunday, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian celebrated Divine Liturgy. Also present were Rev. Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Gulyan and Rev. Fr. Datev Menengichian. Accompanying the Liturgy were the Deacons, Sub Deacons and the Choir. The church was packed with parishioners. Fr. Zargarian’s sermon concentrated on the importance of following our Lord Jesus Christ as a role model: the way to stay away from temptations and evil. He asked the parishioners to pray for the sick, for those in trouble and to never lose hope even if life seems to be a struggle at times. He urged the faithful to praise the Lord and be thankful for the freedom we have today to be Christians – a price that our grandparents and the Armenian Genocide martyrs paid to preserve our faith and our heritage. As baptized Christians, we are all born a second time as brothers and sisters; we need to look out for each other and protect each other like a big family of Christians. See photos…
On Easter Monday, April 21, in the presence of families, a Requiem Service for the victims of the Armenian Genocide was conducted by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian and Rev. Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Gulyan, assisted by Dn. Nurhan Ipekcyan, at the Memorial Monument at the York Cemetery of Toronto, section 3. The ceremony was followed by the blessing of the graves of the departed, at the request of the families present.
Special appreciation and thank you to the Holy Trinity Armenian Church Parish Council, Deacons, Sub-Deacons, Choir members and Choirmaster Mr. Shahe Altounian for their devotion and care on Sundays, especially their active participation over the Holy Week. We greatly appreciate the wonderful members of the Women’s Guild for their weeks of hard work and their effort to make the Holy Week even more special.