Arrival of New Priest to Sydney Parish

After much anticipation, on Tuesday 14 December, Reverend Father Avetis Hambardzumyan made his safe passage to Sydney with his wife, Yeretsgin Hasmik and 10 month old son, Sargis. They were warmly welcomed at the airport by Church Councillors.

Following their arrival, the Reverend Father with his family made their way to the Church of Holy Resurrection to be received by the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian.

Father Avetis has been appointed to serve in the parish of Sydney by His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Reverend Father will celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday 19 December.

Member of Lebanese Parliament Visits Diocese

Mr Hagop Pakradouni of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Member of the Parliament of Lebanon paid a courtesy visit to His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand on 29 October 2010 during his recent travel to Australia for the 120th anniversary celebrations of the ARF.

On Friday 5 November at the invitation of the Primate, Mr Pakradouni joined him for lunch hosted by the Armenian Community Welfare Centre (ACWC). Mr Pakradouni took the opportunity to meet and mingle with the volunteers and participants of the ACWC aged day care program and was inspired by the valuable community support provided by the Centre for the elderly.

On Sunday 7 November Mr Pakradouni attended the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Holy Resurrection, partaking in Holy Communion. Following the church service, the Primate invited Mr Pakradouni to meet with the clergy and Church Councillors.

See photos in Photo Gallery

Baroness Caroline Cox

On Sunday, 17 October a gathering was held in the Edgarian Hall to meet, greet and hear Baroness Caroline Cox on her mission work and advocacy of Armenians in Karabagh. Her graciousness to visit the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia during her busy schedule in Australia to launch HART-Australasia (Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust) was warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated by those gathered who could only be inspired by her passion and tenacity to support aid projects for those in need particularly to fellow Armenians in Karabagh. She also highlighted her strong support for the self-determination of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabagh and called for worldwide community action in light of current threats to the people of the region.

“We cannot do everything, but we cannot do nothing” – this message resonated clearly among all who were present.

Baroness Cox of Queensbury is a defender of human rights in the House of Lords, United Kingdom, as well as a prominent educationalist and author. She is heavily involved with international humanitarian and human rights endeavours which among the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabagh also include the oppressed in Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, Russia, India, Thailand, Burma and East Timor.

A Showcase of Classical Music

On Sunday, 22 August a group of talented young Armenian musicians  and soloists presented a cultural showcase of classical music in the sacred ambience of the Church of Holy Resurrection. The recital was the first ever non-religious event to be hosted in the Church which provided a tranquil setting for the brilliant performances.

 The program featured compositions of the masters, Schumman, Mozart and Liszt  as well as a spine-tingling rendition of Komitas’ “Groong” on cello by Miss Natalie Minasian. The audience appreciated the high standard of talent and execution of the performers with commendation awarded to the youth for the wonderful initiative to collaborate together and showcase their love of music.

At the end of the showcase, Church Councillor Mr Varouj Vartan-Boghossian  thanked the performers and called on Council’s Chairman Mr Bedros Zorlu to present them with gifts of appreciation.

An afternoon tea hosted by the Church Ladies Auxiliary followed in the Edgarian Hall.

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Blessing of New Robes

On Sunday, 27 June a special ceremony took place during the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Holy Resurrection to bless the new robes prepared for the children’s choir. In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian reflected on the importance Jesus placed and the love He showed toward children because they had the kind of attitude needed to approach God. He praised the children’s choir and the devoted parents who demonstrate a living faith by participating regularly in the worship services; the children with their angelic voices and the parents whose encouragement is paramount in imparting faith values. The Primate particularly thanked Mr and Mrs Zohrab and Carla Keverian, patrons of the robes for their generosity and demonstrating faith in action.

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Church hosts 2010 Diocesan Assembly

On the weekend of 1-2 May, the Church of Holy Resurrection hosted the 2010 Diocesan Assembly presided by His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand. The Assembly was attended by delegates from the three Australian parishes of Melbourne, Sydney and Sydney West. The meetings commenced Saturday morning with the Annual General Meeting of the Properties Ltd followed by the Diocesan Council. The afternoon was dedicated to the meeting of the Assembly which comprised of the Primate, Clergy, Diocesan Council and Church Councillors reviewing and assessing issues relating to the Diocese as a whole as well individual Church Councils.

On Sunday, delegates participated in the Divine Liturgy followed by a luncheon in the Edgarian Hall.

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

Palm Sunday Celebrations

On Sunday 28 March, Palm Sunday was celebrated in the Church of Holy Resurrection recollecting Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Divine Liturgy was offered by Reverend Father Norayr Patanian and was followed by the  ‘Trnpatsek’ service when the altar curtain was officially reopened after closure at Great Lent.

The Church was abuzz with faithful congregation members on this special feast day which is also dedicated as Children’s Day in the Armenian Church. The Children’s Choir participated in the Liturgy ands students from Hamazkaine Galstaun College and Homenetmen scouts were present to receive Holy Communion as were plenty of young children holding candles and flowers.

Following the church services, the clerical procession made its way out of the church, joined by parents and young children holding lit candles, signifying the coming of Jesus Christ, the One true light of the world.

See photos in Photo Gallery