April 24 Commemorations

On Saturday, 24 April a wreath-laying ceremony took place before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Martin Place, Sydney where a requiem service was held by the Reverend Fathers of the Church of Holy Resurrection. Church councillors and community members attended the service to pay their respect to the souls of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and fallen soldiers of ANZAC.

On Sunday, 25 April the Divine Liturgy and requiem service was held afore the altar of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument in the Armenian Section of Macquarie Park Cemetery where the faithful gathered for a special Sunday service in remembrance of the 1.5 million sacrificed lives and those displaced as a result of the annihilation plan.

Requiem Service for Poland’s Victims

On Sunday, 18 April a special requiem service was held in the Church of Holy Resurrection presided by the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian for the souls of Poland’s late President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria and the senior Polish officials who perished in the tragic plane crash on  10 April.  Earlier in the week, the Primate sent letters of condolence on behalf of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand to the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Australia and the Consulate-General of Poland in Sydney expressing shock and sadness at the national tragedy with the sombre realisation that Poland has lost many great people.

Easter Services Draw Large Attendance

The faithful gathered in large numbers this year to church services during Holy Week  held at the Church of Holy Resurrection which culminated in the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday.

On the morning of Maundy Thursday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated commemorating the Last Supper when Our Lord instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. The evening service began with the Washing of the Feet followed by the vigil service (Khavaroum) recounting the trials and suffering of Jesus. The Crucifixion service was held Friday morning and the Burial service the same afternoon when parishioners also traditionally remember their loved ones in the special evening requiem service.

Saturday eve, known as Eastertide (Jrakalooyts) celebrated the Divine Liturgy proclaiming the risen Christ in prelude to the major feast on Sunday when the church overflowed in glory to Our Lord with the faithful partaking in the episcopal Divine Liturgy.   More than 1,000 parishioners attended the most holiest day of the church calendar which resounded the great message that Christ is revealed! Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian led the procession to the Edgarian Hall where the Blessing of the Residence took place.

See photos in Photo Gallery