Press Office
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 2, 2015, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Holy Trinity Armenian Church by The Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, accompanied by Deacons and choir members. The parishioners were invited to the luncheon at “Magaros Artinian” hall organized by the Women’s Guild members.
In the evening of Holy Thursday, following our Lord Jesus’ Christ example, Fr. Zargarian conducted the washing and anointing the feet with blessed oil. St. Sahag – St. Mesrop Armenian Saturday School and Sunday School’s grade eight students took part in this ceremony.
Later in the same evening, 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.
On April 4, Easter Eve, the Scripture reading of Books of the Prophets started at 6:00PM. Special thanks to Mrs. Sirvart Mikaelian for preparing the readers and to our students for beautiful readings.
The Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian celebrated Divine Liturgy. At the end of the service, Fr. Zargarian delivered an inspirational sermon about the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Following the prayers, the faithful gathered in the church lobby for the traditional House Blessing service. Chocolates, coloured eggs and the traditional “cheureg” was served to parishioners.
On Easter Sunday, His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy assisted by Parish Priest, The Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian. Accompanying the Liturgy were the Deacons, Sub Deacons and the Choir. The church was packed with parishioners. Primate Hovakimian delivered the sermon of Holy Easter.
On Easter Monday, April 6, in the presence of families, a Requiem Service for the victims of the Armenian Genocide was conducted by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian 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.