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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211016T110141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T054927Z
UID:29410-1775001600-1775087999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nHoly Wednesday commemorates the anointing of Jesus Christ by a woman in Bethany and the Betrayal of Christ. \nIn the Gospel of St. Matthew\, we learn that while Jesus was dining with his Apostles in Bethany\, in the home of Simon the leper\, a woman came in with an alabaster jar filled with valuable perfume. She opened the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples witnessing this act become upset\, as the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds could have been given to the poor. Jesus hearing their displeasure said\, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you; but me you do not always have me.”  The woman’s actions foreshadowed His preparation for burial. “For in that she has poured this ointment on my body\, she did it for my burial\,” said Christ (Mt 26:6-13). \nFollowing this we learn that one of the Twelve\, who was called Judas Iscariot\, went to the high priests and inquired\, “What are you willing to give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They offered him 30 pieces of silver\, and from then on he began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Mt 26:14-16). \nOn Holy Wednesday we thus remember two contrasting lessons; the betrayal of Jesus and the worshipful anointing of Jesus to show love and respect for Him. Examining our lives and comparing them with the two types of contrasting acts\, the church asks “What are you doing as a child of God? Are you betraying your Lord with your actions or are you faithfully and lovingly worshipping Him?” \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-wednesday-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Wednesday.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260403
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211016T123808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T055342Z
UID:29423-1775088000-1775174399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy (Maundy) Thursday - Avak Hingshapty
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Armenian Church has three services on Maundy Thursday\, symbolising three different events in the last days of the earthly ministry of Christ. The morning service commemorates The Last Supper\, at which Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist by giving Holy Communion to His disciples. \nDuring a Passover meal\, Christ broke and distributed unleavened bread and shared the wine with His apostles\, identifying these elements as His Body and Blood. Through this sacrament\, mankind participates in the Kingdom of God. \nIn the afternoon the Washing of the Feet (Vodnleva) service takes place\, commemorating the humility and service of our Lord Jesus Christ in washing the feet of His disciples. During this service\, twelve young men beautifully portray the Apostles while the celebrant portrays Christ himself\, taking off his outer robe and washing their feet as a sign of humility and servitude. During this time also\, olive oil or butter is blessed and used for the anointing of feet. The faithful are given a portion of this oil to bring to their homes at the conclusion of the service. \nAs per the Gospel of John\, on the evening He was betrayed\, Jesus “poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet\, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him” (John 13:5). \n“When He had finished washing their feet\, He put on his clothes and returned to His place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them…. ‘Now that I\, your Lord and Teacher\, have washed your feet\, you also should wash one another’s feet’” (verses 12\, 14). \nIn the days of dusty roads and open-toed sandals\, feet often became dirty\, and it was the job of the lowest servants to wash the guests’ feet. But Jesus set an example of service by doing this job himself\, despite the protests from Peter. \nWhen Jesus said\, wash one another’s feet\, He meant\, serve one another. Jesus is saying that we should humble ourselves and be willing to do even menial tasks for one another. \nWhen we serve one another throughout the year\, helping one another with real needs\, we are obeying the spirit of the law of Christ. \n\n\nA sombre Vigil service is held in the evening\, commemorating the betrayal\, arrest\, trial and suffering of Christ. Khavaroom (Darkness) is undoubtedly the most spiritually compelling and moving of all the Armenian Church’s services. It consists of an elaborate Night Service (Keesherayeen Zham) plus the Morning Service (Aravodyan Zham)\, liturgically part of Good Friday\, but in actuality performed late on Holy Thursday. \nDuring Khavaroom\, we keep vigil along with the Apostles\, who did so while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Seven passages are read from the Gospel which reflect the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane\, the betrayal of Judas\, the commitment of Jesus to the crowd\, His standing before Annas and Caiaphas\, His being struck and mocked\, Peter’s three denials and regret. The readings from the Gospels are interspersed with the readings of psalms and the singing of hymns (sharagans) written by St. Nerses the Graceful. \nThe readings are as follows: John 13:16-18:1; Luke 22:1-65; Mark 14:27-72; Matthew 26:31-56; Matthew 26:57-75; John 18:2-27; John 18:28-19:16. \nThe service starts with thirteen candles: one large central candle\, with eleven smaller lit candles and one smaller black candle unlit. The unlit candle symbolises Judas Iscariot\, who would betray Christ that evening. Six candles sit on either side of the central candle. The thirteen candles are placed before either a cross or a painting of the Crucifixion at the center of the altar. Following each Gospel lesson\, the candles are extinguished two by two. A single candle is left to remind us of Christ’s singular presence in the darkness and the fact that Jesus was left alone to die on the cross. The faithful listen to each Gospel reading\, usually on their feet. In some Armenian Church communities\, the faithful tie seven hitch knots on a white thread\, one for each Gospel reading. After the service\, they tie it on their wrist and keep them tied for forty days until Christ’s ascension. \nAfter the Bible readings\, the final candle and all the lights of the church are extinguished and “Glory to God in the Highest” (Park ee Partsoons) is sung. In some places\, the clergy then chant Der Voghormia forty times in a particular plaintive tone. While not mentioned in the rubrics for the Khavaroom service\, the beautiful hymn “Where are you\, my mother?” (Oor es Mayr Im) is often sung after Park ee Partsoons\, whilst the church is still dark. \nAt the conclusion of the service\, the Worship of the Holy Cross (Khachi Ko Krisdos Yergirbakanemk) is conducted. \nTraditionally\, Armenians have always attended Khavaroom in large numbers. In many places throughout the world\, this important vigil service can be of great length\, lasting into the late hours of the night and thus for practical purposes\, it has been condensed to a more suitable length. \n\n\nHoly Thursday is beyond a doubt the longest and weightiest liturgical day of the year\, one very close to the hearts of the Armenian people throughout the centuries. The service of Maundy Thursday prepares us to remember the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord on Good Friday. \n  \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-maundy-thursday-avak-hingshapty-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-last-supper.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260403
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260404
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211017T061417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T055827Z
UID:29436-1775174400-1775260799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Good Friday - Avak Ourpat
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\nGood Friday (Holy Friday)\, commemorates Christ’s tortures\, Crucifixion\, Death and Burial. \nOn Friday morning\, Jesus\, subjected to all kinds of humiliation\, was forced personally to carry the heavy wooden cross to the heights of Golgotha. Suffering intensely\, He reached Golgotha where the Crucifixion was accomplished. By midday He was already nailed to the Cross. Fixed on it were the deriding words\, “Jesus of Nazareth\, King of the Jews.” Four Roman soldiers had carried out the sentence. Jesus’ robe fell by lot to one of them. The act conforms to Psalm 22:18\,”they divided my garments among them\, and for my raiment they cast lots.” According to Matthew 27:35\, “And when they had crucified him they divided his garments among them by casting lots.” At noon the sun darkened over.  The crowd dispersed.  For three hours there was utter confusion.  Jesus\, having shed His blood\, had reached His end. \nThe Crucifixion Service (Gark Khachelootyan) takes place first with Psalms\, hymns and readings commemorating the crucifixion\, final hours and final sayings of Christ. The Worship of the Holy Cross is performed once again\, with everyone standing\, as there is no liturgical kneeling allowed during the daytime on Good Friday. \nJesus\, who had been crucified along with two robbers\, needed to be taken down from the Cross and buried that same day. It was against Jewish custom to conduct a burial on the Sabbath (Saturday). The soldiers tested to see if Jesus had died. One of them pierced Jesus’ side with a spear\, and blood and water flowed out. It confirmed Jesus’ death. \nThe burial was undertaken by special permission by a devout man named Joseph of Arimathea. The vault was in his own garden\, at the foot of Golgotha. Devout women of Galilee were there. The body was placed in a tomb hewn into a rock\, and a huge rock was placed at the door. On the insistence of the priests\, the governor ordered a guard to be placed at the tomb\, for three days. \nThe Burial Service (Gark Taghman) is performed late on the afternoon of Holy Friday\, this being one of the more beloved services of the Armenian people. During this service a “tomb” (or representation) is draped in black and decorated with candles and flowers\, which the faithful bring as an offering to the crucified Lord of Glory. During this service\, a very beautiful and haunting rendition of the hymn “Soorp Asdvadz” is sung. The Worship of the Cross is performed once again\, whilst kneeling. At the end of the service\, the faithful are invited to approach and venerate the tomb\, and to receive a flower. \nThe Requiem Service (Entanour Hokehankist) directly follows the Gark Taghman. \n  \n\n\n\nCourtesy of “Feasts of the Armenian Church and National Traditions” by Garo Bedrosian\, 1993
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/good-friday-avak-ourpat-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Crucifixion-e1634449227266.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260404
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260405
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211017T063507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T060645Z
UID:29449-1775260800-1775347199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy Saturday: Jrakalouyts
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\nThe Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ starts on the eve and continues after midnight. \nOn Holy Saturday\, in the evening\, the Vigil Office of the Lighting of Lamps (Jrakalooyts) commences at sundown\, the entry into Easter Sunday. \nDuring this service of scripture lessons\, the faithful hear the prophecies proudly heralding Christ’s Resurrection. The crossing of the Israelites through the Red Sea\, the taking up of Elijah in the Chariot of Fire\, the story of Jonah the Prophet and the salvation of the Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace are all among those readings which foreshadow mankind’s salvation\, the victory over death and the destruction of hell brought about by Christ’s Resurrection. \nThe vigil readings give way immediately into the Vigil Divine Liturgy\, the first to be celebrated in triumphant commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection from among the dead. \nFollowing the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy\, the assembled faithful welcome each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ conveying the great tiding:  “Christ is Risen from the dead” and receive the answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.” The faithful take lit candles home\, symbolising the Light that Christ brought into the world. \n  \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-saturday-jrakalouyts-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Saturday.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260407
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260408
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20250520T035336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T035537Z
UID:29343-1775520000-1775606399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
DESCRIPTION:  \nOn April 7\, the Armenian Church celebrates one of her greatest feasts: the Annunciation to St Mary. In the Gospel of Luke we learn that the Angel Gabriel brings the good news to the Virgin about the birth of the Saviour (Lk 1:26-38). \nAccording to Holy Tradition and the Evangelist\, the Angel Gabriel appears to St. Mary while reading a passage from the prophecy of Isaiah\, in which it is written about the birth of the Emmanuel from a Virgin. The Angel greets Mary\, telling her\, “Fear not\, Mary: for you have found favour with God. And behold\, you shall conceive in your womb\, and bring forth a son\, and shall call His Name JESUS.” \nThe Angel Gabriel further explains to Mary\, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you\, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow you\, therefore also that which is Holy which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.” St Mary could foresee the torments and sufferings that she would endure. However\, by giving mankind an excellent example of obedience to the Divine Will\, she said\, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Beginning from the moment when the Holy Virgin expressed these words\, she was with child. \nThis Gospel story is one expression of why the Armenian Church accords high honour to motherhood\, and appreciates the role of women in family life and the lives of mankind. \nUpon the Pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin II\, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians\, the Feast of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary is proclaimed as a day of “Blessing of Motherhood and Beauty”. On this day\, a special blessing service is conducted in the Armenian Churches.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/annunciation-to-the-virgin-mary-3-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Annunciation.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260411
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260412
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211023T072914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T063321Z
UID:29489-1775865600-1775951999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Beheading of St John the Baptist
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Saturday following the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, the Armenian Church commemorates the beheading of St John the Baptist (also known as The Forerunner). \nThe writers of the Gospels\, St Matthew and St Mark\, have explained the history of beheading of St John the Baptist\, who had baptised Christ and gave the good news of His Coming (Mt 14:1-12; St. Mk 6:14-29). \nAccording to the Evangelists\, King Herod arrests and imprisons St John the Baptist\, as a result of John’s condemnation of the king’s marriage to Herodias\, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod wants to put John to death\, but fears the Jews because they considered John to be a prophet. \nOn Herod’s birthday\, fascinated by the dancing of the daughter of Herodias (Salome)\, the king makes an oath to give her anything for which she asks. Following her unforgiving mother’s instructions\, she asks for the head of St John the Baptist on a platter. The king\, realising he has been fooled\, grants the request. \nSt John the Baptist is one of the greatest saints in the Armenian Church. We entreat his name as an intercessor during the divine services\, generally following the name of St Mary. According to tradition\, St Gregory the Illuminator\, brought the relics of St John to Armenia from Caesarea\, and buried them near the town of Moush\, after which the famous Monastery of St John the Baptist was built. Tradition also tells us that the head of St John the Baptist is buried underneath the Holy Altar of the Gandzasar Monastery in Artsakh. St John the Baptist remains one of the most popular saints among the Armenian faithful.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-beheading-of-st-john-the-baptist-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/beheading-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260419
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260420
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211023T081949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T064256Z
UID:29515-1776556800-1776643199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Sunday of the World Church (Green Sunday)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe second Sunday of Easter commemorates Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor)\, the first Church of Jerusalem\, established by Christ. \nOn the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover\, Jesus instructs two of the Apostles\, Peter and John\, to go into Jerusalem and meet a man\, who would direct them to a house where Christ and His Apostles could celebrate the Passover Feast. Peter and John are led to the “Upper Room” of a house\, where they make the necessary preparations for the meal. Later that evening\, Christ and the Twelve Apostles sit together to eat supper. This “Last Supper” was the event where Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion\, which we celebrate every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is considered to be the first Church\, as founded by Christ. \nThe Sunday of the World Church is also called “Green” Sunday\, which most probably originates from an ancient holiday celebrating spring. Our forefathers\, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter months\, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving and celebrated by decorating the church and themselves with greenery. The reawakening of nature is symbolic of the Resurrection. Green is the colour of life\, freshness\, and promise. After a barren winter and with the Resurrection we are filled with hope\, life and love. \nGreen Sunday is the perfect time for us to remember and strengthen our obligations as good stewards of the earth and caretakers of the gifts given to us by God.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/sunday-of-the-world-church-green-sunday-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/World-Church-passover.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260427
DTSTAMP:20260514T073824
CREATED:20211023T084326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T065358Z
UID:29529-1777161600-1777247999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Red Sunday
DESCRIPTION:  \nAlthough there seems to be no ecclesiastical origin or significance for Red Sunday\, the colour red recalls numerous themes within Christianity and the tradition of the Armenian Church. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that redeems and heals us\, the source of life which spilled into the ground from the Cross to give life and salvation to the entire created order. \nThe colour red also recalls the blood of the Church martyrs: those who follow the pattern of Jesus\, those men and women who demonstrated valiant faith\, unafraid to die for Jesus Christ\, confident in his words and promise to raise to new life for those who know and follow him.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/red-sunday-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Blood-of-martyrs.jpg
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