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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250215
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250216
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211015T065708Z
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UID:20079-1739577600-1739663999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain\, Patron of Love and Youth\, his son Mardiros and his 14 Soldiers Companions
DESCRIPTION:  \nST SARKIS THE WARRIOR AND HIS SON ST MARDIROS (MARTYROS)\nThe feast day honoring St. Sarkis is movable.  It occurs between January 11th and February 15th.  Each year it follows the five day Fast of Catechumens. \nSarkis was a Greek from the area of Cappadocia on the Anatolian plain.  He was a proud\, brave Christian and served as a Roman army officer during the reign of Emperor Constantine (roughly 337 A.D.).  Sarkis’ valour\, strength and bravery earned him the rank of general. \nSarkis used his position of power for spiritual growth\, going from town to town purging the land of pagan idols\, teaching the Gospel\, and building churches where pagan temples once stood.  Sarkis had a good model in the piety of the Emperor Constantine. \nWhen Constantine died\, Christianity throughout the region came under attack from the new Roman leader\, Julian the Apostate.  Under his leadership\, pagans set about destroying churches and persecuting Christians. \nSeeing this\, Sarkis prayed.  Jesus appeared to him and said\, “It is time for you to leave your country and your clan\, as did Abraham the Patriarch\, and go to a country which I will show you.  There you will receive the crown of righteousness prepared for you.” \nSarkis left behind his noble title and power and headed with his son\, Mardiros\, to Armenia\, where they were welcomed by King Diran\, grandson of King Drtad (Tiridates). \nWhile Sarkis and Mardiros were in Armenia\, the Emperor Julian\, attempting to take over the known world\, continued to move eastward toward Antioch in Syria. Whenever the Roman army came upon Christians\, they were instantly killed.  Many people fled the invading armies. King Diran urged Sarkis to escape and seek refuge among the Persians. \nWhen Sarkis and his son arrived in Persia\, King Shapur\, hearing of his bravery\, appointed him a commander of the Persian military. As he continued to be victorious in battle\, Sarkis also continued to give the credit to God. \nWhen Julian’s troops started raiding lands near King Shapur’s kingdom\, Sarkis was sent to defend the territory.  Outnumbered by the Greek and Roman forces\, Sarkis’ troops were frightened. He told them that if they believed in the Creator of heaven and earth\, their hearts would never be shaken. Many of his soldiers were baptised by the priests travelling with the army\, and they succeeded in fending off a Roman attack. \nSome of Sarkis’ soldiers\, who had not been baptised\, went to King Shapur and told him that Sarkis was rebelling against the Persian ruler by preaching belief in Jesus. The king called Sarkis back to the palace\, where he\, his son\, and the newly-baptised soldiers were expected to attend a feast honouring the pagan gods. \nAt the temple\, the king asked Sarkis to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods.  Sarkis refused\, saying he would only worship the one true God.  The king began to criticise Sarkis and his faith.  But Sarkis could not tolerate such talk\, so he spat in the king’s face and knocked down the temple idols.  The king and his followers were enraged by Sarkis’ actions\, so they killed his son\, Mardiros\, before his eyes. \nThe king then ordered Sarkis imprisoned.  In prison\, Sarkis was strengthened by his relationship with the Lord.  King Shapur heard of this and ordered Sarkis’ execution. \nAt his execution\, Sarkis began to pray.  An angel descended from heaven and told him\, “Be strong.  Do not fear the killers of your body; for the gate of the Kingdom of Heaven is open for you.”  Upon seeing the angel and understanding the power of everlasting life\, many of the pagans who had gathered for the execution became Christians. \nSarkis made one last passionate plea for people to accept Jesus Christ and then was killed. \nHis loyal Christian soldiers retrieved Sarkis’ body and wrapped it in clean linen with the intention of burying his body honorably.  When King Shapur heard of this reverence\, he ordered the soldiers killed as well. Eventually\, Christians found Sarkis’ body and it was sent to Assyria\, where it remained until the 5th Century when Mesrob Mashdots received his remains and moved them to Armenia. \nSoorp Sarkis is also known as the Armenian Valentine’s Day. \nIn one battle Sarkis with his 40 soldiers had defeated an enemy of 10\,000. St. Sarkis just like St. Valentine was a miracle worker. \nAccording to the legend\, after the great feast to celebrate their victory\, all forty soldiers and St Sarkis himself were tricked and intoxicated by a “Persian ruler” who then asked forty damsels to thrust sharp daggers into the hearts of sleeping young men and kill them. One of the damsels\, enchanted by the beauty of Sarkis\, disobeys the order and instead of killing Sarkis\, she kisses him. Sarkis awakens\, and distraught by what he sees\, he jumps on his white horse\, not forgetting the damsel\, and dashes away while a powerful storm rages outside. \nSince then\, a rider on a white horse has become the symbol of love in Armenian tradition. \nTradition in the Armenian culture follows that on the evening before the holiday\, unmarried girls and boys pray to the saint\, asking for his help in their love affairs. Before they go to bed they eat a special salty biscuit with no other food or drink\, so that in their dreams they will see their destined lover or their future spouse giving them water. \nPart reference: Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-st-sarkis-the-captain-patron-of-love-and-youth-his-son-mardiros-and-his-14-soldiers-companions-3/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250214
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250215
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211015T071619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T121436Z
UID:29103-1739491200-1739577599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:The Lord's Presentation to the Temple: Trndez & Diarnt'arach
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nTrndez & Diarnt’arach (or Tiarn’ndaraj)\nOn February 14\, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple. Diarnt’arach\, or Candlemas as it is known in the West\, symbolises the presentation of the 40 day old Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem. \nIn accordance with the Law of Moses\, the infant Christ was brought to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and presented to God. A man named Simeon was there\, to whom it had been revealed that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord.  Simeon held the infant in his arms\, blessed God\, and said\, “Lord\, let your servant now depart in peace\, for my eyes have seen your Salvation\, which you have prepared before the face of all people.  A Light to lighten the Gentiles\, and the Glory of Your people\, Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32) \nThe celebration is rooted in Armenian pagan tradition. Originally called Trndez\, which meant “a bundle of hay in front of your house\,” it was intended as a wish of prosperity to the home and fertility to the land. In ancient Armenia\, the holiday was associated with the worship of Vahagn—the god fire\, the sun\, and of war and courage\, and the Armenian counterpart of the Zoroastrian god of victory Verethragna. \nThe purifying qualities of fire were at the center of pre-Christian Armenian tradition. According to several sources\, people believed that the strength of the fire would eradicate the winter’s cold and allow for fertile land and a prosperous harvest. Couples\, especially newlyweds\, would jump over the Trndez flames for luck\, prosperity\, and fertility. Even the fire’s ashes were believed to have healing properties as people would use it as an ointment for pain and rub it into their eyelids to improve their eyesight! \nFollowing the Christianisation of Armenia\, the Armenian Church decided to adapt the festival rather than to suppress and do away with it completely. In the tradition of the Church\, the celebration is officially named “Diarnt’arach” (“coming to meet the Lord”). \nIn the tradition of the Church\, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) are conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day (13th February).  At the conclusion of the service\, the priest lights a candle from the Holy Altar\, and distributes the flame to all present. With great care\, the faithful take the lit candles home to their families. The tradition of making a bonfire resembles the Lord’s light and warmth\, and it must not be confused with pagan rituals\, when fire was idolised and worshipped. According to Grigor Tatevatsi’s interpretation\, by jumping over the fire\, we show it to be ignoble and low\, says priest Ter Adam Makaryan. \nThe morning of the Feast Day\, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The hymn offered during the Liturgy commemorating Diarnt’arach glorifies Simeon’s articulation of “a Light to lighten the Gentiles”. The hymn praising Simeon also lauds the Mystery of the Incarnation. \nMany additional customs have been inherited from the past\, including the blessing of the four corners of the world in the Andastan Service\, the blessing of newlywed couples\, as well as offering prayers for the crops and fertility of the fields
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/the-lords-presentation-to-the-temple-trndez-diarntarach-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Lords-presentation-temple.jpg
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250213
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250214
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
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SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Prophet Jonah
DESCRIPTION:  \n\nOn the fifth day (Friday) of the Fasting of Catechumens\, the Armenian Church commemorates the remembrance day of the Prophet Jonah. However it is celebrated not as the feast of the Prophet Jonah\, but as the memory of an example of great repentance and abstinence\, which Jonah urged. \nThe Fast of the Catechumens is a penitential period\, focusing on spiritual purification\, mirroring the catechumens’ preparation for baptism. Commemorations during this fast are intentionally somber\, introspective\, and penitential\, not celebratory. \nJonah’s story is remembered not to glorify him as a prophet\, but to emphasise the call to repentance—both Jonah’s own reluctance and the repentance of the Ninevites. \nThe prophet Jonah is one of the minor prophets of the Holy Bible. Jonah is the central figure of the Book of Jonah\, which details his reluctance in delivering God’s judgement on the city of Nineveh\, and then his subsequent\, albeit begrudged\, return to the divine mission after he is swallowed by a large sea creature. Jonah remained inside the fish for three days and three nights. It was only after Jonah’s prayer and redemption did the Lord allow the fish to free Jonah. This time he obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh. On the first day\, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast\, and all of them\, from the greatest to the least\, even the king\, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways\, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. \n\nLater Christ brings the example of the Prophet Jonah to the Pharisees asking for a divine sign: \nThen some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him\, “Teacher\, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them\, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign\, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster\, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth.”  \n-Matthew 12:38-40 \n  \n  \n\n  \n\n  \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-prophet-jonah-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250210
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250211
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
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UID:29086-1739145600-1739231999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Fast of the Catechumens or Arachavorats Bahk
DESCRIPTION:The Fast of Catechumens (or Arachavorats Bahk) is peculiar only to the Armenian Church. It begins three weeks before Great Lent. In ancient times people could eat only bread and salt during the Fast of Catechumens. On those days it was not allowed to celebrate the Divine Liturgy either. \n\nThe meaning of the Fast of Catechumens is the purification of the five human senses from pagan impurity. In the ancient Church there was a custom to fast during five days before baptism. St Gregory the Illuminator ordered King Tiridates and others to fast for five days before baptism in order to get freed of evil. This is the reason that the Fast of Catechumens is also called “Fast of Salvation” from evil. \nAccording to tradition\, the fasting of Catechumens was initiated by St. Gregory the illuminator in memory of the above mentioned practice. \nThere are two explanations regarding the name of this feast.\nIt is called the fast of Catechumens:\n1. As the precursor of the Great Lent\, and\n2. As the first Armenian fast. \nOn the fifth day of the fasting of Catechumens\, on Friday\, the remembrance day of the Prophet Jonah is celebrated\, but it is celebrated not as the feast of the Prophet Jonah\, but as the memory of an example of great repentance and abstinence which Jonah urged. At times\, wrongly\, the fasting of Catechumens was called the fast of St. Sarkis\, because the Armenian Church celebrates the feast of St. Sarkis on the Saturday following the fast. During the Middle Ages\, the Byzantine and the Georgian Churches blamed the Armenian Church for the fasting of Catechumens\, relating it to St. Sarkis\, to whom they ascribed sorcery. According to the testimonies of Armenian medieval writers\, Greek and Latin Churches also had the fasting of Catechumens in ancient times. \n\nOf all the days in the Armenian liturgical year\, only the days of the Arachavorats Bahk have no scripture readings appointed to be read during the daily services. The word “Arachavorats” comes from two root words: arach (before) and avoor (day). So the literal translation would be something like “preceding days.” In English it is best referred to as the “Preliminary Fast\,” in other words\, the fast that precedes the Great Fast\, Great Lent.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/arachavorats-bahk-or-the-preliminary-fast-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/St-Gregory-King-Trdat.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250208
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250209
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211031T101109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240804T061117Z
UID:27028-1738972800-1739059199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Gregory the Illuminator’s Sons and Grandsons
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nThe Armenian Church commemorates St Aristages (Aristakes)\, Vrtanes\, Krikoris (Grigoris) and Housik (Husig); St Gregory’s sons and grandsons and Daniel the Syrian. \nThe day of commemoration (according to the present calendar in force since 1774-75) falls on the Saturday before the Third Sunday of Transfiguration. \nThe rest of the members of the Gregorid family\, namely Sts. Nersés the Great\, Sahag the Parthian\, Vartan and his daughter Shushanig are commemorated on different days during the year. \nSt Arisdages (Aristakes)\nWhile still a layman in Caesarea (Kayseri)\, St Gregory and his wife Mariam were blessed with two sons\, Vrtanés and Arisdagés.  When Gregory and Mariam parted to devote their life to God\, Arisdagés was still very young and in need of motherly care.  Mariam took him with her to the convent she joined.  Influenced by his early upbringing in the convent\, Arisdagés entered the service of God at an early age and became a hermit in the mountains. He became renowned for his austere way of life\, attracting young disciples who sought his company for pious instruction. He was particularly versed in Greek letters and philosophy. \nYears passed\, and when King Tiridates (Drtad)\, who was by now a Christian convert\, learned that St Gregory had sired two sons in his younger days\, he sent certain nobles to Caesarea to bring the sons to Armenia. St Gregory himself had withdrawn to the wilderness to lead a solitary life. At the time\, Aris­dagés was living in a hermitage; he initially refused to leave his austere way of life to go to the court of the king. Ultimately\, he yielded to the plea of Christians not to refuse the pastoral work that lay before him. \nUpon the arrival of Arisdagés and Vrtanés\, King Tiridates III took them with him to look for St Gregory. Finding the saint in the wilderness\, he begged Gregory to ordain his son Arisdagés a bishop and take him as his assistant. After his ordination\, Arisdagés diligently pursued his pastoral work\, preaching and wiping out the vestiges of pagan customs and traditions. \nArisdagés represented the Armenian Church at the Holy Council of Nicaea\, which met in 325 A.D\, at the order of the Roman Emperor Constantine.  His name appears on the list alongside those of the 318 bishops who participated in that council. He returned to Armenia\, bringing with him the canons of the renowned council. These canons are still venerated in the Armenian Church and form the foundation of discipline and order in our tradition. \nAfter St Gregory’s complete withdrawal from pastoral life and then his demise\, St Arisdagés succeeded him as the chief bishop of Greater Armenia. As a pastor he is said to have surpassed the accomplishments of his father. \nArisdagés died as a martyr\, and that is one of the reasons why he is considered a saint of the Armenian Church. The circumstances of his assassination are not very clear. All we know is that\, at some point in his career as chief bishop of Armenia\, he had reprimanded a high dignitary named Archilaeus\, who had been appointed governor of the province of Dzopk in western Armenia. We are not told what Archilaeus had done to deserve Arisdagés’ reprimand. When the bishop was on a pastoral visit to the province\, Archilaeus met him on the road and slew him. In order to avoid arrest and prosecution for his crime\, he fled to the Taurus Mountains in Cilicia. Arisdagés’ disciples took his body to the village of Til near Erzindjan and buried him there. His grave was later shown within the confines of the Chukhdag Hayrabedats Vank (“The Monastery of the Twin Patriarchs”)\, which was still extant until 1915. \nSt Arisdagés is said to have presided as the chief bishop of Armenia for seven years. The date of his martyrdom is calculated to have taken place at about 328 AD. \nSt. Vrtanés\nThe elder son of St Gregory the Illuminator chose to lead a secular life and got married while still in Caesarea.  At a later time he was ordained a priest\, either in Caesarea or Armenia. He and his wife’s desire to have children\, and their prayers to God towards this end\, were answered only in an advanced age. They were blessed with twins\, Krikoris and Husig\, who were reared in the Armenian court and given a solid education. He presumably lost his wife during the pontificate of his brother Arisdagés\, and after the latter’s death Vrtanés himself was raised to the episcopal throne of Greater Armenia. Vrtanés probably received episcopal ordination from his brother’s hand\, since there is no historical reference to any ceremony of ordination\, either in Caesarea or elsewhere. \nSt Vrtanés’ activities as chief bishop of Greater Armenia were closely linked with those of the Christian kings of Armenia: first Tiridates (Drtad)\, and later his son Khosrov Godag (330-337) and grandson Diran (337-344). Vrtanés stood by the side of the kings during various Persian invasions into Armenia as well as during internal rebellions. As an active pastor he continued the work of his father and brother. \nDespite the declaration of Christianity as the national religion of Armenia and the royal support that the church thereby received\, certain people of high position were not pleased with the new religion. Their displeasure led to serious repercussions. King Tiridates\, who had been responsible for the kingdom’s conversion\, was given a poisoned cup to drink to hasten his demise. Another version of the story about King Tiridates’ death says that anti Christian princes collaborated with the King of Kings of Iran\, and were instigated by the latter to put him to death.While on a hunt\, they shot Tiridates with an arrow\, and as the wounded king was recuperating from his wound\, they gave him a poisoned cup to drink. \nVrtanés himself almost fell victim to a scheme of a different nature. At the annual commemoration in Ashdishad of St John the Baptist and Bishop Athenogenes\, as instituted by St Gregory\, the chief bishop was celebrating the Divine Liturgy\, when two thousand mountaineers from Sasun converged on the place\, with the intent of assassinating Vrtanés. The assassins were unconverted idol worshippers\, instigated by certain magnates and particularly by the queen of Armenia\, whom Vrtanés had formerly rebuked for committing adultery. We are told that the hand of God made the conspirators motionless until Vrtanés released them.  Overwhelmed by what had happened\, the mountaineers heeded the admonitions of the bishop\, and after completing the period of penance set by him they were baptised. Subsequently the bishop withdrew to his paternal estate in Til\, near Erzindjan. \nSt. Vrtanés is said to have ordained a special day of commemoration for the Armenian forces under General Vaché Mamigonian\, who perished in a battle against the Persians in 338AD. He consoled the king\, his magnates and soldiers for the devastating effect of the war. According to this ordinance\, the commemoration was to be repeated annually. He also instituted a special canon for all those who would die for Christian Armenia\, that they be commemorated “before God’s holy altar at that point in the liturgy when the names of the saints are enumerated\, and after them.”  This commemoration was later replaced with that of St Vartan Mamigonian and his 1\,036 companions\, which has been celebrated every year up to the present day. \nSt. Vrtanés’ name is closely connected with a contemporary non Armenian churchman of renown\, namely St Macarius\, bishop of Jerusalem (313-334). Macarius was one of the fathers of the Council of Nicaea (325AD)\, responsible (with a few others) for drafting the Nicene Creed\, which we recite in church during the Divine Liturgy. It was during his tenure of office that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built in Jerusalem. St Vrtanés had the distinction of receiving a letter from Macarius. The letter\, originally written in Greek\, is preserved only in Armenian and bears the title: “To the Christ loving and pious Chief Bishop Vrtanés and all the bishops and priests of Armenia.” According to this docu­ment\, Vrtanés had sent certain priests to Jerusalem with specific ques­tions about church traditions. In his answer\, Macarius dwells on various traditions and practices that must be observed in the rite of baptism. \nSt. Vrtanés died in the third year of King Diran in 340 AD. He was buried near his father in Tortan and his grave was shown inside the village church. \nSt Krikoris (Grigoris)\nThe missionary work initiated by St Gregory in the regions of northern Armenia\, Georgia and Caucasian Albania was not neglected by his successors. To this end\, St Vrtanés’ son Krikoris was raised to the episcopal rank and appointed bishop of Georgia and Albania at a relatively young age. The young bishop extended his missionary activities over a vast expanse of territory reaching the shores of the Caspian Sea. He established churches and evangelised among the peoples and tribes under his care. Among the different northern semi-barbaric nomadic tribes to whom he preached the gospel were the Mazkuts\, who were ruled by a line of Arshaguni kings related to the royal dynasty of Armenia. At first\, the Mazkuts accepted Krikoris’ instructions favourably and were inclined to convert to Christianity. \nHowever\, when they learned that Christian teachings forbade some practices of their nomadic way of life e.g looting\, pillaging\, killing and coveting others possession\, they became disgusted and greatly angered. They saw in Krikoris’ teachings a plot on the part of the Armenian king to stop their plundering raids into Armenia. Krikoris was tied to the tail of a wild horse and driven over a plain. The bishop died as a result. His body was claimed by his followers and taken to Amaras\, which is located in present day Artsakh. He was buried in the church built by St Gregory. At the end of the fifth century\, a crypt was built to house his grave. That structure is now located under the main altar of the church of the Monastery of Amaras and is a place of pilgrimage. \nThe martyrdom of Krikoris took place shortly before the Mazkut invasion of Armenia and the seizure of its capital city\, Vagharshabad. That event took place in 335 AD. Krikoris’ relics were discovered in the latter part of the fifth century and were buried in a newly built crypt\, which is still extant\, as stated above. \nSt Husig (Housik)\nSt Husig\, the second son of St Vrtanés\, followed his father’s example by embracing secular life. As he was supported by King Diran\, he was forced into marrying the king’s daughter\, much against his will. He and his wife had twin sons\, Bab and Athenogenes. His inclination towards a celibate life\, however\, alienated his wife created hostility from the royal court. After his wife’s death\, Husig devoted himself to raising his children which appeased the royal court. In a dream\, the Lord appeared to Husig and told him that from his children there “will be born other children\, and they will be illuminators of knowledge and fonts of spiritual wisdom for the realm of Armenia.” \nAfter his father’s demise\, Husig was in line for the succession of the episcopal throne of Greater Armenia.  King Diran immediately dispatched a delegation of thirteen high ranking princes and dignitaries to accompany Husig to Caesarea. There\, Husig was elevated to the episcopal rank. On his return to Armenia he was met by the king and taken to the city of Ardashad\, where he was officially enthroned. Like his father and grandfather\, he became a wonderful pastor of his flock. \nHusig’s woes began when he\, as the upholder of the moral precepts of the church\, began to castigate the king and his magnates for their unchristian behaviour: they had engaged in immoral acts and had shed innocent blood for political ends. Husig excommunicated them\, forbidding their entry into the church. Predictably\, this created animosity form the royal court. On one occasion a day of annual celebration when Husig\, on a pastoral visit to the western province of Great Dzopk\, was present at the palatine church in the royal fortress of Pnapegh\, King Diran arrived with his retinue and tried to enter the church. Learning about their arrival\, Husig stepped out and cried aloud: “You are unworthy! Why have you come?  Do not go inside!” Angered by this\, the king’s attendants dragged him inside the sanctuary and beat him with rods\, shattering his bones. The servants of the church of Pnapegh carried the battered bishop\, who was still alive\, to his ancestral estate in Tortan. Unable to recover from his injuries\, Husig died there and was buried near the graves of his father and grandfather. His tomb was shown inside the church of Tortan. The martyrdom of St Husig is dated to 344 AD. \nSt Daniel the Syrian\nThe Feast of the Sons and Grandsons of St Gregory the Illuminator includes the name of St Daniel the Syrian\, though he is not an actual member of the Gregorid house. \nDaniel had been one of St Gregory’s pupils and associates. St Gregory himself had put him in charge of the province of Daron (the modern Mush area)\, where he held the office of “supreme justice” and looked after the church in Ashdishad\, where the relics of St John the Baptist and Bishop Athenogenes rested. His titles\, “overseer\, law-giver\, supervisor and guardian of all the churches of Greater Armenia” and his ecclesiastical rank as chorepiscopus (a bishop tending to the flock in the countryside\, as opposed to a bishop of a city or a district)\, indicate that he was a missionary who travelled from place to place. He is said to have preached in Persia and other foreign parts and to have converted many people to the Christian faith. He was also in charge of the graves and the possessions of the Gregorid family\, and was attentive to keeping the memories of the saints of that family as well as that of King Tiridates III alive among the faithful. \nSince St Husig’s two sons led secular lives and had no inclination to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors\, King Diran sent his magnates to summon Bishop Daniel\, now an elderly ascetic tending to church affairs in the village of Til\, to assume the spiritual leadership of the Armenian people. He met the king in southwestern Armenia and rebuked him and his magnates for their crimes. Enraged at Daniel’s outspokenness\, the king ordered his servants to strangle him\, against the advice of his nobles. His body was taken to the valley of Hatsyats Trakhd and buried in the cell where he had lived in solitary. St Daniel was martyred in 344 AD. The Monastery of Gopa Sourp Taniel stood at that site until 1915. \nThese five saints have been venerated as a group since the end of the twelfth century. It was at that time that Archbishop Nersess of Lampron wrote a hymn dedicated to them (“The Canon of the Sons and Grandsons of St Gregory the Illuminator”). In the hymn he mentions the saints by name and devotes five stanzas to briefly describing the merits of each one. This hymn is still chanted on the day of commemoration of these saints. \nBy the Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Maksoudian\, adapted from his volume\, “The Holy Feasts of St. Gregory the Illuminator” (St. Vartan Press\, 2002). \n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-gregory-the-illuminators-sons-and-grandsons-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250207
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20250519T105557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T105657Z
UID:29051-1738800000-1738886399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Sophia and her daughters Pisti\, Elpida and Agapi
DESCRIPTION:  \nThese names are of Christian origin and in Greek mean wisdom\, faith\, hope and love. Sophia was a child of a noble family and lived near the city of Rome. Having lost her husband\, she completely devoted herself to God. Being an ardent follower of Christ\, she raised her three daughters in the Christian spirit. Only Christian values ??and ideas prevailed in their lives. \nA pagan young man fell in love with one of Sophia’s daughters and asked her to marry him. However\, her mother rejected the young man\, saying: “We are Christians and we consider virginity more precious than gold and pearls.” Angered\, the young man complained to the emperor of the time\, Hadrian. The emperor summoned the three girls and demanded that they offer sacrifices to idols. However\, having been raised since childhood by the commandments of Jesus Christ\, the girls resisted the emperor\, remaining faithful to their faith. In his anger\, the emperor ordered them to be beheaded. \nTheir mother\, Sophia\, collected the bodies of her children and buried them. She prayed to God that He may take her soul one day to join her beloved daughters. God hears the mother’s pleas\, and Sophia peacefully surrenders her soul.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-sophia-and-her-daughters-pisti-elpida-and-agapi/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250204
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250205
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211023T052935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240804T061813Z
UID:27037-1738627200-1738713599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the 12 Minor Prophets
DESCRIPTION:  \nSaints Hosea\, Joel\, Amos\, Obadiah\, Jonah\, Micah\, Nahum\, Habakkuk\, Zephaniah\, Haggai\, Zechariah and Malachi\nIn addition to Isaiah\, Jeremiah\, Ezekiel and Daniel (the four major prophets of the Old Testament)\, the Armenian Church commemorates the following twelve minor prophets.  The Prophets were those persons through which God spoke his will to the people of the world. They were the voice of God on earth and gave advice to the people of Israel\, warning them against dangers\, and trying to keep them from the temptations of sin. Each prophet clearly comprehended that God spoke to them directly. To that end\, in the Holy Bible\, we find expressions of “God told me”\, “This is what God is saying” etc. \nOften\, God gave them power to work miracles\, proving to people that they were chosen by Him. In the Nicene Creed\, we proclaim that the Holy Spirit “Spoke in the Law\, in the Prophets and in the Gospel”\, once more affirming that God has spoken to us by means of the prophets. \nThe prophets received their revelations through visions\, proverbs and symbols. They were the connecting link in the God and man relationship. The prophets’ purpose was to purify and instill in the human mind the conscience that God is their leader\, as well as to strengthen the faith in the coming of the Messiah and His Kingdom. All prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah came true in the New Testament\, by means of Jesus Christ. The twelve prophets lived and worked over a broad range of time: \nHosea (Salvation): the Prophet Hosea was the preacher of the Word of God following Amos\, in 750 BC.  He continued his mission until Samaria was conquered in 722-721 BC\, and the Kingdom of Israel was eliminated. As the Israeli state disintegrated\, Assyria became increasingly powerful.  In his prophecies\, Hosea condemned the significant moral decay of Israel and the elimination of social justice. He made declarations concerning the responsibility of the elite.  God speaks of His Love through Hosea. That love demands us to struggle against all forms of injustice and to beware of false idols. \nJoel (the Lord is God) : Little is known about the period when the Prophet Joel lived and when his prophecies were compiled in a separate book.  He spoke of the “Day of the Lord” and exhorted people to turn to God. He has foretold that the day would come when God would “pour out His Spirit” over all people.  This prophecy came true during Pentecost\, when the Holy Spirit descended to earth in the form of tongues of flame. \nAmos (Burden Bearer): the Prophet Amos is the oldest prophet.  He was a shepherd\, who lived in the village of Thecua\, not far from Bethlehem. He lived and worked in the 8th century BC. In his prophecies\, he spoke of the greatness of God\, authority and justice\, the demands of the law\, and especially of the rights of the poor and the needy. He appealed to the rich\, the powerful\, the judges and the priests with great firmness. \nObadiah (Servant of God): the Prophet Obadiah’s book is the shortest of the Minor Prophets. It was most likely compiled in approximately 587 BC.  The prophet told that descendants of Esau (the people of Edom) would be punished and defeated as would all other nations that were the enemies of Israel. This was to make the people of Israel understand that the last word is God’s Word\, and that He alone would come be the final judge all peoples and nations. \nJonah (Dove): Unlike the other prophetic books\, the Book of Jonah is a narrative describing the adventures of a prophet who tried\, in every way\, to disobey God’s command. However\, in the end his attempts were in vain. By the Lord’s command\, a large fish swallowed Jonah\, where he remained for three days and three nights. Only after Jonah’s prayer and redemption did the Lord allow the fish to free Jonah. In the Gospels\, Christ repeatedly refers to this story. \nMicah (Who is like God?):  the Prophet Micah was from the village of Moresheth\, which many identify with the present day Tel-Al-Jadidah. Micah lived in the 8th century BC. He warned of the fall of Jerusalem\, which was the consequence of the sins of man. He called on them to repent and remain obedient to the Will of God. \nNahum (Consolation): the name of the prophet means “consoler” or “comforter”. The Book of Nahum was written in the period between the conquering of Thebes by the Assyrians in 663 BC and the fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians in 612 BC. Nahum taught of the Lord’s jealousy and vengefulness\, including a forceful description of the fright that seized all creation when faced with the judgment of the Lord. The book continues\, however\, and in contrast with this harsh picture of God\, Nahum describes the comforting assurance of God’s loving kindness towards His true servants. \nHabakkuk (Embrace): there is little information available on this prophet. Habakkuk shared in the misfortunes and sufferings of others\, while strongly condemning evil. The book was most likely written towards the end of the 5th century BC to the beginning of the 6th century BC.  The book reads as a dramatic dialogue between God and His prophet and presents the Lord as the eternal and righteous ruler of the world. \nZephaniah (God Hides): the Prophet Zephaniah preached in the latter part of the 7th century BC\, prior to Habakkuk. Zephaniah answered questions concerning the level of God’s interest in mankind\, and whether God has predetermined the course of history. He also preached very forcefully against idolatry in all its forms. \nHaggai (Festive or Festival): the Prophet Haggai preached to encourage the Israelites to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem. He advanced the idea that the poverty of the people and the poor condition of the harvest was due to the Temple remaining in a state of ruins. This book was likely written in 520 BC. \nZechariah (Who God Remembers): the Prophet Zechariah lived and prophesised during the same period as Haggai. The urging of the two prophets brought about the eventual rebuilding of the Temple. The book consists of two parts. The first part contains prophecies dating back to 520-518 BC\, the second part may have been written many years later. \nMalachi (My Messenger): the prophet is the last of the minor prophets. The Book of Malachi\, the last book of the Old Testament\, was written in the first half of the 5th century BC. Malachi\, as a witness to the degradation of society\, exhorted people and priests to change their behavior.  The prophet also preached of God’s unending love and the impending day of final judgment.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-12-minor-prophets-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250202
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211015T064103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T102904Z
UID:29034-1738368000-1738454399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Gregory the Theologian
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt. Gregory the Theologian (also known as Gregory of Nazianzus)\, has left a rich literary heritage\, which was translated into Armenian in the 5th to 8th centuries AD. In all probability\, St. Moses of Khoronk created part of the translations into Armenian. St. Gregory the Theologian is one of the most prominent figures of Christianity\, who by means of the struggle against Arians\, kept Christianity uncorrupted and by means of his works he has greatly influenced the formulation of the Christian theologian ideology. \nSt. Gregory the Theologian was born in 328 AD in the village Ariangue near the town of Naziangue\, of Cappadocia. He was the son of the Bishop Gregory. Gregory studied in Caesaria\, and then in Athens. In Athens Gregory became acquainted with St Barsegh of Ceasaria\, one of the future prominent figures of Christianity. After leading an ascetic life for a while\, Gregory returned to Naziangue\, where he was ordained as a priest by his father. Later he became the Bishop of Sasima. Together with St Barsegh of Ceasaria\, St Gregory the Theologian struggled against the Arians. He was known for his contributions to theological debates\, particularly regarding the Trinity\, and his literary and poetic works.  \nHe participated in the 2nd Ecumenical Council of Constantinople and was a key figure in the Nicene Creed. St. Gregory passed away on 25 January 389 AD.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-gregory-the-theologian-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250120
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250121
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211022T053821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T101042Z
UID:29020-1737331200-1737417599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the King St Theodosius and Children of Ephesus
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Armenian Church commemorates Theodosius I\, the Roman Emperor (379 to 395) who put an end to the last of paganism and the Arian heresy in the empire (The doctrine denying the true divinity of Christ\, named after the Alexandrian priest Arius c. 250–c. 336). He was recognised as a “just and mighty Christian emperor” and was called “the Great.” During his reign\, he devoted considerable time and energy to the establishment of the universal and orthodox faith and deemed that the unlawful meetings of the heretics were not to be called churches. \nHe is also remembered for his pious behaviour. Ambrose\, the Bishop of Milan\, effectively excommunicated the Emperor\, pending a public statement of repentance\, as punishment for the massacre he had ordered in Thessalonica. Many scholars believe that the massacre was a result of the soldiers’ misinterpreting the Emperor’s orders. King Theodosius repented for eight months until he was able to walk into the church\, thus taking part in the holy liturgy. \nThe legend of the Seven Children of Ephesus dates back to the 3rd century A.D\, during the rule of Emperor Decius\, who persecuted Christians. Seven youths\, all children of notable men\, secretly got baptised and were named Maximian\, Marcian\, Jamblichus\, Dionysius\, Constantine\, Antonius and John. When they were exposed as Christians\, they fled Ephesus in 250AD and hid in a cave outside the city walls and fell asleep for a century and a half. An earthquake opened the cave and awakened them in 389AD during the reign of Theodosius. When people became aware of that divine miracle\, the king and the residents of Ephesus met the persecuted Christians with great respect and honour. The seven young men returned to the cave\, where they passed away and were entombed\, with the site becoming a shrine.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-king-st-theodosius-and-children-of-ephesus-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250119
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211101T053423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T100356Z
UID:29007-1737158400-1737244799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Anton (Anthony) the Hermit\, St Tryphon\, St Barsam & St Onuphrius
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nSome time after the spread of Christianity\, the ascetic movement began. Hermits were people who devoted themselves entirely to God\, withdrew to uninhabited places and through prayer and fasting\, by the grace of God\, overcame human weaknesses\, achieving spiritual perfection. Years later\, hermits also received the gift of healing through miracles and prayers. \nSt Anthony the Hermit is the founder of ascetic and monastic life. He was born in the village Koma\, Egypt\, in 251\, in a noble family. After his parents’ death Anthony inherited their wealth. Whilst in church\, he listened to the evangelical commandment\, in which Jesus says: “If you want to be perfect\, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor\, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” (Mt 19:21). Being led by this commandment\, Anthony sold all of his property and lived in the spirit of praying\, fasting and doing charity. \nAnthony lived in a time of transition for Christianity\, the Diocletianic Persecution in AD 303 was the last great formal persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Only ten years later\, Christianity was made legal in Egypt by Diocletian’s successor Constantine I. Those who left for the desert formed an alternate Christian society\, at a time when it was no longer a risk to be a Christian. The solitude\, austerity\, and sacrifice of the desert was seen by Anthony as an alternative to martyrdom\, which was formerly seen by many Christians as the highest form of sacrifice. Anthony quickly gained followers eager to live their lives in accordance with this solidarity and separation from material goods. From these prohibitions\, it is recorded by Athanasius that Anthony received special privileges from God\, such as the ability to heal the sick\, inspire others to have faith in healing through God\, and even converse with God on occasion. Around this time\, desert monasticism appeared nearly simultaneously in several areas\, including Egypt and Syria. \nOver time\, the model of Anthony and other hermits attracted many followers\, who lived alone in the desert or in small groups. They chose a life of extreme asceticism\, renouncing all the pleasures of the senses\, rich food\, baths\, rest and anything that made them comfortable. They instead focused their energies on praying\, singing psalms\, fasting\, giving alms to the needy\, and preserving love and harmony with one another while keeping their thoughts and desires for God alone. Thousands joined them in the desert\, mostly men but also a handful of women. Religious seekers also began going to the desert seeking advice and counsel from the early Desert Fathers. By the time of Anthony’s death\, there were so many men and women living in the desert that it was described as “a city”. \nSt Anthony died at the age of 105\, having earned the heavenly unfading crown\, becoming an example for Christians of all times with his unshakable faith and great spiritual strength. \nThere were other ascetics as well. St Tryphon\, who was martyred in the city of Nicaea during the reign of Emperor Decius\, St Barsam (Parsemius) the hermit who lived in the Syrian deserts in the middle of the 5th century\, and the Egyptian hermit St Onuphrius (4th century). After staying in a monastery for some time\, the latter withdrew to the desert\, where he lived for 60 years without meeting anyone. St Onuphrius\, like other hermits\, healed many people through the power of prayer and saved them from suffering. That is why this saint is especially invoked for the healing of children and during difficult childbirth. The Armenian Apostolic Church attaches special importance to hermits and has holidays dedicated to their memory.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-anton-anthony-the-hermit-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250115
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211015T063537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T094246Z
UID:28994-1736812800-1736899199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Birth of St John the Forerunner (Baptist)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Armenian Apostolic Church\, observes the Feast of the Birth of St John the Baptist\, the Forerunner\, in January. The birth of St John is described in detail in the Gospel according to St Luke (1:5-25). He is known as the ‘forerunner’ because it was he who would herald the news of the Saviour through the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. \nOne day Zechariah\, father of St John the Baptist\, was doing his work as a priest in the Temple and was burning incense on the altar. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and said that God had heard his prayer and his wife would bear him a son. Zechariah had to name him John. Zechariah didn’t believe the angel as he was and old man\, and his wife was old too. As he hadn’t believed the angel\, he became unable to speak and remained silent until the birth of John. \nSt John the Baptist\, who would baptise the Saviour\, had been aware of and rejoiced at the knowledge of the birth of Jesus\, even before his birth. According to the Evangelist\, when St Mary\, Holy Mother of God\, visited Elizabeth\, mother of St John the Baptist\, the latter\, being filled with the Holy Spirit cried out\, “Why should this great thing happen to me\, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting\, the baby within me jumped with gladness” (Lk 1:43-44). \nThe continuation of the words of Elizabeth are the message of this feast addressed to all Christians throughout the world\, “How happy you are to believe that the Lord’s message to you will come true!” (Lk 1:45). \nOn this occasion\, those bearing Armenian names rooted in ‘St John the Baptist\, the Forerunner’\,  Hovhannes (John)\, Meguerditch (Baptist) and Garabed (Forerunner) celebrate their name day.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-birth-of-st-john-the-forerunner-baptist-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250113
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250114
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211015T062954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T093822Z
UID:28981-1736726400-1736812799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ
DESCRIPTION:  \nEach year\, on January 13\, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As Evangelist St. Luke writes in his Gospel\, according to the  Jewish tradition “On the eighth day\, when it was time to circumcise him\, he was named Jesus\, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” (Lk 2:21). “Jesus” is a Hebrew word meaning “Saviour”.  As written in the Gospel according to Luke\, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to give her the good tidings of the birth of the Son of the Most High\, he said that Mary would name the baby “Jesus”. “You will be with child and give birth to a son\, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Lk 1:31). \nParallel to the name “Jesus” the name “Christ” is given to the Saviour\, which is a Greek word meaning “Consecrated” and corresponding to the Hebrew word “Messiah”. \nOn the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all Armenian Churches. On the eve of the feast\, following the evening service a special service is conducted.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-naming-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250105
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250106
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211012T041857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240719T090540Z
UID:26693-1736035200-1736121599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Jrakalouyts (Jrakalooyts): Christmas Eve Candlemas
DESCRIPTION:  \nEve of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, Candlelight (Lucernarium) Divine Liturgy\nAccording to the Armenian Church\, the day changes at 5:00 pm and thus the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ starts on the eve\, on the evening of January 5 and continues after midnight on January 6. \nOn the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, the special Jrakalouyts service takes place. \nDuring the solemn Vesper Vigil\, the young choristers or deacons begin to read or chant the Old Testament readings from Genesis\, Exodus and the Prophets prior to the proclamation of the Lord’s birth and manifestation during the Divine Liturgy. \nThe final solemn reading is the prophecy of Daniel. By candlelight\, one person reads the narrative of the prophecy and three others chant the song of the three holy children— Shadrach (Setrak)\, Meshach (Misak) and Abednego (Apetnakov). \n“Blessed are You\, Lord\, God of our fathers. Praised and glorified is Your name forever\, For You are fair in everything that You have done to us\, and all of Your deeds are true.” \nIn the Armenian Church we read this story on the eve of Christmas and Easter as an anticipation of Christ’s resurrection from the dead and the presence of the living Son of God in our midst assuring us of God’s healing and life restoring presence for all eternity. Just as the faithful boys are not burned by the heat of the furnace\, those who know and trust Christ will be saved from the flames of hell. \nAfter this\, the altar curtain\, which had been drawn in front of the altar\, is opened and the Divine Liturgy begins. \nThe Divine Liturgy (the lighting of the lamps service) is celebrated in honour of the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God (“manifestation of God” is the literal meaning of the word “theophany”). \nIt is custom for the faithful to hold lit candles or lanterns during this service. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy\, the assembled faithful take the lit candles and lanterns home which symbolises the radiance of the spiritual light in our lives and hearts that the Saviour of the world and the Prince of Peace has given us through His humanity and His Divine direction. \nAll of our Christmas hymns exuberantly celebrate Jesus as the Light. He is the holy Light that God has shined on Earth. He is the radiant Saviour born to Mary the Mother of God. He is the heavenly lamp that illuminates the path of our lives\, allowing us to recognise our blessed purpose in life; and giving us the privilege of seeing God and knowing God. \n“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness\, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/jrakalooyts-christmas-eve-candlemas-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250102
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211009T063959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220108T064353Z
UID:21743-1735689600-1735775999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n  \nThe New Year (Gaghant\, Amanor or Navasart) has generally been a feast of joy and happiness for the Armenian people. It is customary to exchange gifts with family members and close friends and to bring delight to children with gifts. It is also customary to set the family table to the extent of their means with fruits and good things to eat\, thereby making the abundance and joy spread throughout the year. \nPresently all Christian churches celebrate the New Year on January 1. The word “January” or “Hunvar” means “birth”. Being born in January\, Christ saved mankind from eternal death and led to the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s why January became the year’s beginning. January 1 is the first day of the first month of the year of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. On January 1 a Divine Liturgy is celebrated as well as the Thanksgiving Prayer to welcome in the New Year with the Blessing of Pomegranates. At the end of the service\, each family takes home a blessed pomegranate. \nIn Christianity the pomegranate symbolises the diversity of God’s grace\, the Church.  Just as the seeds of the pomegranate are separated by thin membranes yet held tightly together\, in the same way the Christian Church holds all Christians around the world together in Christ’s love; though they are separate\, they are not divided. Thus the pomegranate shows unity in diversity. \nThe pomegranate’s crown represents Jesus’ crown and His sovereignty over the entire world. The red colour symbolises His salvific Blood that was shed for all. The popular belief is that each one contains 365 seeds corresponding to the number of days in a year\, symbolising new life in Christ and the New Year.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/new-years-day-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/New-Years.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241229
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241230
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T234959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211228T022941Z
UID:21152-1735430400-1735516799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Eve of the Fast of the Nativity and Theophany
DESCRIPTION:  \nEve of the Fast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Fast of Christmas)\n\nThe Eve of the Fast of Christmas is always celebrated on December 29\, that is seven (7) days before the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas). The Fast of Christmas ends on 5 January\, on the eve of the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/eve-of-the-fast-of-christmas-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241229
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T234532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211029T032732Z
UID:21145-1735344000-1735430399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Apostle St James and Evangelist St John
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt James was the son of the fisherman Zebedee\, the senior brother of the Evangelist St John. He was one of the closest and most reliable disciples of Jesus and the witness of the important events related to Jesus. \nWhen Samaritans refused to receive Christ\, James and his brother asked Jesus to send fire down on the people\, as prophet Elijah did. Jesus reproached them for their groundless behavior. Because of such events Jesus called them “Boanerges\, that is\, sons of thunder” (See Mk 3:17). James is the only apostle about whose death is told in the “Acts of the Apostles”. Herod arrested James and stabbed him. \nThe name of this apostle is closely related to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. According to Armenian  tradition\, the head of St James was brought to James\, brother of Jesus\, who buried it in the garden of his house. Later the Cathedral of St James was built in that same place. On the northern wall of the chapel\, the tomb of the apostle’s head is shown. \nEvangelist St John is the author of the fourth Gospel\, three letters and the Revelation. He deserved the title of the “beloved disciple” of Christ. Jesus loved and trusted him so much that at the moment of crucifixion asked him to take care of the Holy Mother of God. He passed away in 100 AD\, in Ephesus\, at the age of 95.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-apostle-st-james-and-evangelist-st-john-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/jesus-james-john.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241226
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241227
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T233914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T082000Z
UID:20131-1735171200-1735257599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Apostles St Peter and St Paul
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt. Peter was one of the 12 apostles of Christ. He was the brother of Andrew. He was one of the beloved apostles of Jesus and the witness of Our Lord’s Transfiguration and the other important events related to Jesus. Peter was a fisherman. His name given during the circumcision was Shmavon\, or Simon (in Greek). We hear of Simon for the first time as written in the Gospel according to John\, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter) (Jn 1:42). Peter was born in the village Bethsaida and later was moved to the town of Capernaum where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Peter is more famous from the part of the Gospel when he said that Christ was the Son of the living God. And Jesus stated that being the Saviour of the world and the Son of God\, He would build His Church (See Mt 16:15-19). \nDuring the night when Jesus was arrested Peter denied Jesus thrice and later deeply regretted this deed. After the Pentecost it was Peter that explained to the people assembled what had happened and spoke about the Incarnated Jesus. One of the important deeds of Peter was bringing the heathens to the church. Peter was arrested by King Herod but escaped the prison by a miracle. \nAccording to tradition Peter was martyred in Rome and was crucified head-down. Two letters from Peter have been preserved. \nSt. Paul is the thirteenth Apostle of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He was born in the town Tarsus of Cilicia in the beginning of the first century. His parents were citizens of Rome who according to Heronimus had came from Galilee. First he studied in his native town and then he continued his education in Jerusalem\, where his teacher was Gamaliel. Paul was a tent maker by trade and this circumstance often helped him during the trips\, when he earned his living by means of making tents. According to his own words\, Paul had been a Pharisee\, had strictly obeyed the law and persecuted the Christians. However\, on his way to Damascus\, Jesus appeared to Paul\, after which Apostle Paul (whose name was initially Saul) became one of the greatest preachers of Christ’s commandments. He was baptised by the apostle Ananias. He made several trips and preached the word of God. Fourteen letters from Paul have been preserved. \nAccording to the tradition Paul was beheaded in 67 AD in Rome.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-apostles-st-peter-and-st-paul-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Peter-Paul-2-e1634717910484.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241224
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241225
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T233406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231228T015652Z
UID:20055-1734998400-1735084799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Stephen the Protomartyr
DESCRIPTION:  \n\nCommemoration of St Stephen the Protomartyr\nSt Stephen\, is known as the “Protomartyr\,” the first Christian to die for their belief in Jesus Christ. St Stephen was the first Deacon who was ordained to serve at the Eucharistic meal. Full of grace and the power of God\, St Stephen performed wonders and miracles that were seen by the Jews as a blasphemous act. He was tried before the Council of Elders and condemned to death by stoning. \n\nAccording to the hagiographical sources he was from the royal dynasty of Judas and was the son of law abiding parents. Whilst still a young man\, he was the servant of the chief priest Kayipaya. According to the same sources\, when the Lord was taken to his home\, Stephen took off the cloth from his head and spread it under the Lord’s feet thus expressing his true and sincere love. This naturally annoyed the chief priest and he turned Stephen out. Stephen witnessed the death and burial of our Lord but rejoiced with the apostles for the Glorious Resurrection of Christ. According to St Gregory of Tatev\, he went to the apostles Peter and John and was baptised. At the moment of baptism a crown appeared on the water. After that miraculous event he was called “Stephen” meaning (crowned). From the Acts of the Apostles it is known that after the Pentecost\, apostles served food and gave subsidies to the poor. From day to day the number of those who believed in Christ increased. As the apostles were unable to meet the needs of everybody\, they asked their disciples to choose seven persons of good reputation to serve the food. According to St Luke the Evangelist\, one of them was St Stephen\, “… a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). By the power received from Christ\, the apostles ordained him a deacon. Stephen worked wonders thanks to his God granted virtues and power. Many people tried to argue with him\, but no one was as wise as Stephen. \nSome people were persuaded to say that Stephen scolded God and the Prophet Moses\, thus inciting the people. As a result\, the priests and the lawyers took Stephen to court. In his speech\, in his defense\, Stephen proved that Jesus was the promised Messiah\, and reproached the Jews for their cruelty. He was stoned out of the city and his cloths were put before a man whose name was Saul and who later became the Apostle Peter. In the beginning he persecuted Christians but later he knew the true God – Jesus Christ\, and became the most zealous preacher of the Gospel. St Stephen was the first person martyred for the sake of Christ and that’s why he is called Protomartyr. \nAccording to the tradition Gamaliel\, the teacher of the Apostle Peter and Nicodemus\, his brother\, who were secret disciples of Jesus\, buried St Stephen’s body on their farm. Soon a priest named Lukianus discovered the relics. And Pontiff Hovhan of Jerusalem put them in St Sion. In the fifth century\, Princess Juliane found the saint’s tabernacle in Jerusalem and took it to Constantinople\, and later\, to Venice and buried it in the Church of St George (St. Gevorg) island. \nIn commemoration of St Stephen\, the Divine Liturgy is followed by a service dedicated to the blessing of deacons in which the deacons and priests participate\, adorned with ceremonial headdress (saghavard). \nIn the eucharistic celebration on this feast day\, it is traditional for all deacons serving at the altar to wear a liturgical crown\, which is one of the vestments worn only by priests on all other days of the year. The crown being\, in this instance\, not only a reflection of the derivative of the name “Stephen\, but also a symbol of martyrdom.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-stephen-the-protomartyr-and-the-first-martyr-3/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/St-Stephen-e1634714493299.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241223
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241224
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T232153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211029T032141Z
UID:21135-1734912000-1734998399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Prophet St David and Apostle St James
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\nCommemoration of the Prophet St David and Apostle St James\, brother of Jesus\n\nThe Prophet St David was the great grandson of Boaz and Ruth. The Holy Bible depicts him as a psalmist\, gifted\, wise\, handsome man and orator. He was a shepherd. During the battle against Philistines he killed the giant Goliath. After the death of Saul he became the king of Israel and founded the city Jerusalem. He is the author of the book of Psalms and one of the greatest and influential figures of the Old Testament \nGod chose him as king of Israel\, despite his being the youngest of the sons of Jesse: God does not look at the appearance but at the heart of man. A warrior and poet\, David was also a great sinner\, but recognised his faults and asked forgiveness. Our Lord Jesus Christ is born of David’s line \nSt James\, brother of Jesus\, is the combining link between the Evangelical saints and the saints mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He is one of the important figures of the Initial Church and the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Jewish historian Hovsepius characterises him as “righteous”. \nAccording to hagiographical sources some people forced him to get on the tower and slander against Jesus. However\, getting on the tower\, he started to speak about Jesus the Messiah\, who sat on the right side of God and would come to judge the world fairly. Many people were converted\, but others threw the saint down from the tower. According to the tradition St James is buried in the Cathedral of St James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. One letter from James has been preserved. \nThe Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the memory of the Prophet St David and Apostle St James\, brother of Jesus\, during the main feasts preceding the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-prophet-st-david-and-apostle-st-james-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241221
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241222
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T225248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211029T031742Z
UID:21121-1734739200-1734825599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Abgar (Apkar)
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nCommemoration of St Abgar\, First Martyr of the Church and our first King believing in Christ\n\nAccording to Armenian tradition\, St Abgar was the first Christian king of the 1st century\, the son of the Parthian king Arshakunie Arsham. He was also called “senior man” as he was the wisest of all and a genius. Historian Moses of Khoronk\, Assyrian historian Labubnia of Yedessia\, Greek historians Procopis and Yeusebius have all written of King Abgar. He built the city of Yedessia on the site where the Armenian army protected the river crossing of the Euphrates from the Roman captain Casius. Later the king moved the royal palace and all idols from Nisibis to that city. \nIt is during the period of the reign of King Abgar that Jesus Christ\, the Saviour of the world\, was born. King Abgar\, who was incurable\, became aware of the wonders worked by Christ\, believed in Christ and by means of his delegates sent a letter of petition to Jerusalem\, to the Saviour\, asking Him to come and heal him. In response\, the letter stated that Christ still had important things to do in Jerusalem\, but He would send one of His disciples to the king to heal him. After the Ascension of the Saviour\, Apostle St Thaddeus came to Yedessia\, healed King Abgar\, preached the Gospel and appointed Adde\, the silk-weaver\, to be his successor. Jesus had sent his portrait to Abgar and it was kept for a long time in Yedessia and later in the churches of various cities and towns. \nAfter that\, King Apgar sent letters to King Tiberius and King Nerseh of Assyria exhorting them to admit Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour. \nIt is believed that King Agbar died in the first half of the first century.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-abgar-apkar-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241214
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241215
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T231015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231228T022732Z
UID:21113-1734134400-1734220799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Pontiff St James of Nisibis\, Hermit St Maruge and Bishop St. Melitus
DESCRIPTION:  \nPontiff St. James (Soorp Hagop) of Nisibis is one of the authoritative and beloved saints of the Universal Church. He has deserved the epithet “Thaumaturge” (Wonderworker) for the numerous miracles relating to his name. \nSt. James (known as Hagop in Armenian)\, was a signatory at the Council of Nicaea in 325\, which devised the Nicene Creed (the Havadamk). \nAccording to hagiographical sources St. James was from a Parthian dynasty and the nephew of St. Gregory the Illuminator. When the family members of Anak the Parthian were killed\, nurses secretly fled to Caesaria taking with them baby Suren and James where they were educated in the Christian spirit. Soon baby James and his sister Sakden were taken to Persia and for a while lived in the royal palace. However\, James withdrew from a safe and well todo life and became a hermit. \nHe left for Nisibis where he met hermit St. Maruge\, who was famous for leading a life befitting saints. After the death of the Bishop of Nisibis\, God appeared to Maruge and told him that St. James was the deserving candidate for the Bishop of  Nisibis. \nJames learnt from the hermit Maruge that many people\, despite their conversion to true faith\, were skeptical and suspicious about the existence of Noah’s Ark. \nJames decided to climb Mount Ararat in order to see the Ark and bring back a piece of it. He tried many times to climb Mount Ararat to find Noah’s Ark\, which was buried under thick layers of ice\, at Parrot Glacier\, upon the top of the mountain. He would climb the mountain\, fall asleep and wake up downhill from where he was. After repeated failed attempts\, God appeared to him in a dream and said\, “Do not try to find the Ark anymore. I will give you a piece of a wood of what the Ark was hewn”. When he woke up\, to his amazement\, he found the wood lying nearby. He decided to build the monastery at the location that he found the wood. St James passed away in 350AD after leading his flock for many years. \nSaint Hagop monastery was founded in 341 A.D. It was built upon the northeastern slope of Mount Ararat (Masis) in the Masyatsotn canton of a larger province of Ararat in the Armenian kingdom. Some sources say that St. Hagop was the name of the monastery while there was a chapel of St. James nearby\, while other sources refer to the two as the same site. The monastery is said to have contained relics of wood from the Biblical Ark of Noah. A strong earthquake occurred at Mount Ararat on July 2\, 1840 causing an avalanche that destroyed the monastery of St. Hagop\, Arakelots Vank in the neighboring village of Akori as well as the village itself. The piece of the Ark is currently kept in the museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. \nBishop St. Melitus was born in Melitene\, Armenia Minor. In 358 he was the Bishop of Sebastia. In 360 he ascended the throne of Antioch. He struggled against the Arians. In 381 he presided the Second Ecumenical Council convened in Constantinople but unfortunately passed away before the end of the Council. \nAt the Church of Holy Resurrection\, on the occasion of St James Day\, blessings take place of all parishioners who bear the names of Hagop\, Jacob\, Jacques and James. The namesakes then take part in a procession that includes a beautiful artefact\, found by renowned alpinist Tito de Luco\, commemorating St James’ divine vision on Mt Ararat. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-pontiff-st-james-of-nisibis-hermit-st-maruge-and-bishop-st-melitus-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241208
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241209
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T000413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231228T023128Z
UID:21106-1733616000-1733702399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Eve of the Fast of St James
DESCRIPTION:  \nToday commemorates the eve (paregentan) of the Fast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis. \nThe five day fast\, Monday to Friday\, leads us to the Feast of St. James\, which is next Saturday. Traditionally the entire fifty day period of Advent was a period of fasting\, similar to Great Lent. In modern times\, three week long (Monday to Friday) fasts are observed during Advent: Fast of Advent (Hisnagats Bahk)\, Fast of St James (Sourp Hagopee Bahk)\, and the Fast of the Nativity (Dznuntyan Bahk).
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/eve-of-the-fast-of-st-james-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241207
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241208
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211029T030420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211029T030611Z
UID:21098-1733529600-1733615999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of Pontiff St Nicholas
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents\, who raised him to be a devout Christian\, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor\,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy\, the sick and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra\, Lycia while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need\, his love for children and his concern for sailors and ships. \nUnder the Roman Emperor Diocletian\, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians\, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith and was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops\, priests and deacons that there was no room for the real criminals i.e murderers\, thieves and robbers. After his release\, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died 6 December 343 AD in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church (Church of the tomb of St Nicholas). A unique relic\, called manna was known to have formed in his grave. This liquid substance was said to have healing powers which resulted in many pilgrimages\, over the centuries\, to the church. \nSt Nicholas was a secret and generous giver of gifts and some believe him to be the model for Santa Claus. \nOne story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman’s father had to offer prospective husbands something of value\, a dowry. The larger the dowry\, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry\, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man’s daughters\, without dowries\, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously\, on three different occasions\, a bag of gold appeared in their home\, providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold\, tossed through an open window\, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes\, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls\, sometimes represented as oranges\, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. Thus St. Nicholas was known as a gift giver. \nAnother story tells of three theological students\, traveling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper robbed and murdered them\, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Bishop Nicholas\, traveling along the same route\, stopped at this very inn. In the night he dreamed of the crime\, got up\, and summoned the innkeeper. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God the three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France the story is told of three small children\, wandering in their play until lost\, lured and captured by an evil butcher. St Nicholas appears and appeals to God to return them to life and to their families. Thus St Nicholas is the patron and protector of children. \nSeveral stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young\, Nicholas made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked as he sought to more deeply experience Jesus’ life\, passion and resurrection. Returning by sea\, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed\, sparing them all. As a result\, St Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers. \nOther stories tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine\, sparing the lives of those innocently accused and much more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret\, expecting nothing in return. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. \nThrough the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St Nicholas’ life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as a protector and helper of those in need. \nHe was a defender of orthodoxy and because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession\, he is called “the Wonderworker.”
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-pontiff-st-nicholas-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241205
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241206
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211101T050913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211101T051034Z
UID:21243-1733356800-1733443199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:The Commemoration of the Desert Fathers (Egyptian Hermits)
DESCRIPTION:The Desert Fathers were early Christian hermits\, ascetics and monks who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD.  The most well known was Anthony the Great\, who moved to the desert in AD 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism. Sometime around AD 270\, Anthony heard a Sunday sermon stating that perfection could be achieved by selling all of one’s possessions\, giving the proceeds to the poor and following Jesus. He followed the advice and made the further step of moving deep into the desert to seek complete solitude. By the time Anthony died in AD 356\, thousands of monks and nuns had been drawn to living in the desert following Anthony’s example. \nAnthony lived in a time of transition for Christianity\, the Diocletianic Persecution in AD 303 was the last great formal persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Only ten years later\, Christianity was made legal in Egypt by Diocletian’s successor Constantine I. Those who left for the desert formed an alternate Christian society\, at a time when it was no longer a risk to be a Christian. The solitude\, austerity\, and sacrifice of the desert was seen by Anthony as an alternative to martyrdom\, which was formerly seen by many Christians as the highest form of sacrifice. Anthony quickly gained followers eager to live their lives in accordance with this solidarity and separation from material goods. From these prohibitions\, it is recorded by Athanasius that Anthony received special privileges from God\, such as the ability to heal the sick\, inspire others to have faith in healing through God\, and even converse with God on occasion. Around this time\, desert monasticism appeared nearly simultaneously in several areas\, including Egypt and Syria. \nOver time\, the model of Anthony and other hermits attracted many followers\, who lived alone in the desert or in small groups. They chose a life of extreme asceticism\, renouncing all the pleasures of the senses\, rich food\, baths\, rest and anything that made them comfortable. They instead focused their energies on praying\, singing psalms\, fasting\, giving alms to the needy\, and preserving love and harmony with one another while keeping their thoughts and desires for God alone. Thousands joined them in the desert\, mostly men but also a handful of women. Religious seekers also began going to the desert seeking advice and counsel from the early Desert Fathers. By the time of Anthony’s death\, there were so many men and women living in the desert that it was described as “a city”. \nThe monastic communities were essentially an alternate Christian society. The hermits doubted that religion and politics could ever produce a truly Christian society. For them\, the only Christian society was spiritual and not mundane. \nThe Desert Fathers gave a great deal of emphasis to living and practicing the teachings of Jesus\, much more than theoretical knowledge. Their efforts to live the commandments were not seen as being easy\, many of the stories from that time recount the struggle to overcome negative emotions such as anger and judgment of others. Helping a brother monk who was ill or struggling was seen as taking priority over any other consideration. Hermits were frequently seen to break a long fast when hosting visitors\, as hospitality and kindness were more important than keeping the ascetic practices that were so dominant in the Desert Fathers’ lives. \nThere are many different collections of sayings of the Desert Fathers. The collection now known as the Systematic Collection began to emerge at approximately AD 500\, and features sayings from various earlier collections combined and systematically ordered under twenty one chapters. 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/the-commemoration-of-the-desert-fathers-egyptian-hermits-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241201
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211011T222953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T053015Z
UID:20724-1732924800-1733011199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Apostles St Thaddeus and St Bartholomew
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nThe first preachers of Christianity in Armenia\nSaints Thaddeus and Bartholomew were two of the original disciples of Jesus Christ. When they came to the land of our ancestors to spread the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection\, they were not just offering an abstract philosophy. They told about their own first hand experience of the life and mystery of Jesus\, stories they knew from having lived side by side with him. \nBecause of Thaddeus and Bartholomew\, Armenians are part of an unbroken tradition stretching all the way back to the original apostles\, and through them\, to the historic figure of Jesus Christ himself. And to this day\, our church renews and refreshes that personal union between Christ and each of us. \nSt Thaddeus\, inspired by the Holy Spirit soon after Jesus’ death\, spread the good news of Jesus Christ’s teaching and resurrection in Syria\, Iraq and Armenia. \nIn Armenia\, Thaddeus met with the Armenian King Abgar\, who reigned in the city of Edessa from 1 B.C. to A.D. 37. King Abgar had contracted a grave illness during his travels to the East. Hearing of the miracles of healing by Jesus of Nazareth\, he wrote a letter to Jerusalem inviting Christ to Edessa. A delegation headed by the king’s emissary Anan delivered the letter to Jerusalem\, where it was received by the Apostle Thomas. The delegation may have been among the pagans the Apostle John wrote about in his account of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem “and there were certain pagans who had come to Jerusalem to worship him” (John 12:20). \nKing Abgar’s letter received its response after the Resurrection and Pentecost\, with the mission of Thaddeus to go to Armenia. \n\nAccording to tradition\, St. Thaddeus brought to Armenia the spear (geghard) with which the centurion Lucian pierced Christ’s side on the cross. It was kept at Ayrivank (Cave Monastery)\, now known as Geghard Monastery in Armenia. This sacred relic is used once every seven years in the consecration of Holy Chrism (Muron)\, which is used for baptismal\, ordination and other rites by Armenian churches around the world. \n\nThaddeus was a bold missionary\, bringing the word into the royal palace of Armenia’s King Sanatruk\, baptising the king’s daughter\, Sandoukht. The established government and religious leaders bitterly opposed the threatening new sect called Christianity\, going so far as to imprison the king’s daughter. In prison\, Sandoukht refused to renounce Christianity\, instead converting the other prisoners. Sandoukht became the first Armenian martyr. When her father forced her to choose between the church and the crown\, Sandoukht chose the church\, knowing it would mean her death. \nSt. Bartholomew\, also named Nathaniel\, was a disciple whom Jesus especially liked from the first time they met. Although at first doubting whether Jesus was the long awaited Messiah\, Bartholomew responded to Jesus’ invitation to “come and see\,” showing his openness to discover the truth without being naive. Seeing this\, Jesus turned to the other followers and proclaimed\, “Behold\, an Israelite indeed\, in whom there is no guile (John 1:47). \nBartholomew followed Thaddeus’ mission to Armenia around the time of Santoukht’s imprisonment and martyrdom. He converted King Sanatruk’s sister Volouhi. The king in anger ordered the execution of both his sister and Bartholomew.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-apostles-st-thaddeus-and-st-bartholomew-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241129
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211101T043942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211101T044529Z
UID:21230-1732752000-1732838399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Pontiff St Clement and Bishop St Bagrat of Taormina
DESCRIPTION:  \nPope Clement I (called Clemens Romanus to distinguish him from the Alexandrian)\, is the first of the successors of St Peter of whom anything definite is known\, and he is the first of the “Apostolic Fathers”. The Apostolic Fathers were a group of early Christian leaders who were believed to know the Apostles personally. St Clement was said to have succeeded St Peter as the Pope of the Church at Rome. \nHe was a disciple of St Peter and it is thought that the Clement whom St Paul praises as a faithful fellow worker\, whose name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3)\, was St Clement. \nClement I has one genuine writing\, a letter to the Church of Corinth. However\, many others have been attributed to him. The letter to Corinth is particularly significant in Catholic theology in that it demonstrates the Roman church’s early role in guiding the conduct of other churches. The letter was widely read in the early Christian churches and is included in some early manuscripts as scripture\, along with the letters of Paul. \nLittle is known of Clement’s ministry other than the writings attributed to him. Early sources indicate that he died a natural death\, but later tradition holds that he was martyred. \nAccording to apocryphal Acts of the Martyrs\, dating to the 4th century at earliest\, Clement was banished from Rome to the Chersonesus during the reign of the Emperor Trajan and was set to work in a stone quarry. Finding on his arrival that the prisoners were suffering from lack of water\, he knelt down in prayer. Looking up\, he saw a lamb on a hill\, went to where the lamb had stood and struck the ground with his pickaxe\, releasing a gushing stream of clear water. This miracle resulted in the conversion of large numbers of the local pagans and his fellow prisoners to Christianity. As punishment\, Clement was martyred by being tied to an anchor and thrown from a boat into the Black Sea. \nThe Inkerman Cave Monastery marks the supposed place of Clement’s burial in the Crimea. A year or two before his own death in 869\, Saint Cyril (born Constantine\, 826–869) brought to Rome what he believed to be the relics of Saint Clement\, bones he found in the Crimea buried with an anchor on dry land. They are now enshrined in the Basilica di San Clemente. Other relics of Saint Clement\, including his head\, are claimed by the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves in Ukraine. \nSt Bagrat was born in Antioch in Cilicia\, during the time when the Lord Jesus Christ walked as a man among men on earth. After the Ascension of Christ\, St Bagrat (Pankratios/Pancratius/Pancras) at the age of three\, went with his parents to Jerusalem. They converted to Christianity after hearing Christ Himself preach and seeing His miracles. After his parents died\, St Bagrat took up a solitary life in the province of Pontos\, where the Apostle Peter found him\, and in agreement with the Apostle Paul he was appointed as the Bishop of Taormina in Sicily. In Taormina\, St Pancratius worked many miracles\, destroyed idols\, baptised those who converted and strengthened those that were already baptised. He was a devout and loved leader of the Church. \nA heathen commander by the name of Aquilinus heard that the entire city of Taormina had converted to Christianity. He set out with an entire army in order to destroy the city of Taormina. St Pancratius encouraged the faithful not to be afraid. His clergy joined him as he went outside the city carrying in his hands the invincible weapon of the cross. When the army approached the city\, darkness befell them and the soldiers were overcome with great fear. In their confusion\, the attackers turned against one another and pierced and slaughtered each other with their swords. Thus Bagrat\, the chosen one of God\, saved the city and his flock by the power of his prayer before the Lord. In the end\, Bagrat was stoned to death by the heathens and found rest in the Lord. A portion of his relics are kept on Mount Athos. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-pontiff-st-clement-and-bishop-st-bagrat-of-taormina-3-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241123
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241124
DTSTAMP:20260421T125351
CREATED:20211031T100607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211031T100828Z
UID:21209-1732320000-1732406399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Gregory the Thaumaturgus\, Nicholas the Bishop and St Myron the Wonderworker
DESCRIPTION:  \nGregory Thaumaturgus (Miracle Worker) or Gregory of Neocaesarea was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century. \nGregory was born around AD 213 to a wealthy pagan family in Neocaesarea. Originally he was known as Theodore (“gift of God”). He was introduced to the Christian religion at the age of fourteen\, after the death of his father. He had a brother Athenodorus\, and on the advice of one of their tutors\, the young men were eager to study at the Berytus in Beirut\, then one of the four or five famous schools in the Hellenic world. At this time\, their brother-in-law was appointed assessor (legal counsel) to the Roman Governor of Palestine; the youths were able to act as an escort to their sister as far as Caesarea in Palestine. On arrival in that town they learned that the celebrated scholar Origen\, head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria\, resided there. Curiosity led them to hear and converse with the master. Soon both youths forgot all about Beirut and Roman law\, and gave themselves up to the great Christian teacher\, who gradually won them over to Christianity. \nWhen Gregory returned home\, he found a Christian community of 17 people waiting for him. Soon afterward\, Gregory was elected bishop. Although his training was in speculative theology\, Gregory’s pastoral work was concerned with practical applications of the faith. His skills were such that some of his flock soon attributed miracles to him\, hence his nickname “The Wonder Worker.” \n“Gregory was a great and conspicuous lamp\, illuminating the church of God\,” wrote Basil. “He possessed\, from the co-operation of the Spirit\, a formidable power against the demons\, that he turned the course of rivers by giving them orders in the name of Christ; and that his predictions of the future made him the equal of other prophets.” \nGregory’s leadership was renowned during his ministry\, as most of the city of Pontus converted to Christianity. \nSt Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents\, who raised him to be a devout Christian\, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor\,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy\, the sick and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra\, Lycia while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need\, his love for children and his concern for sailors and ships. \nUnder the Roman Emperor Diocletian\, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians\, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith and was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops\, priests and deacons that there was no room for the real criminals i.e murderers\, thieves and robbers. After his release\, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died 6 December 343 AD in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church (Church of the tomb of St Nicholas). A unique relic\, called manna was known to have formed in his grave. This liquid substance was said to have healing powers which resulted in many pilgrimages\, over the centuries\, to the church. \nSt Nicholas was a secret and generous giver of gifts and some believe him to be the model for Santa Claus. \nMyron\, Bishop of Knossos\, the wonder worker was born (approximated 250 AD) while Roman Emperor Dekius was in rule\, in the village of Rafkos or Rafkia\, southwest of Knossos\, Crete. Saint Myron came from a noble family and had God fearing parents who cultivated humility and love for his fellow man. He was a farmer by profession and offered much of his crop to the poor. \nHe was known for his goodness and he assisted everyone who turned to him for help. Once\, thieves burst in upon his threshing floor\, and Saint Myron himself helped them lift a sack of grain upon their shoulders. By his generosity\, the saint so shamed the thieves\, that they began to lead honourable lives. He literally took Christ’s words\, “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic\, let him have your cloak also” (Matthew 5:40). \nAfter the premature death of his wife and after years of service to his community\, Myron was urged to join the priesthood by his fellow Cretans. He eventually rose to the position of Bishop of all Crete. The village of his birth is today called Agiou Myronos in his honour. His career was marked by many miracles\, earning him the title “Wonderworker.” One such miracle was when the River Triton had flooded and Myron caused it to become solid in order to walk across it and see his parishioners. He then sent a man back to the river to touch it with his staff so it would flow again. \nIn spite of his high position\, Saint Myron remained a humble philanthropist and passed away when he was close to 100 years old. \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-st-gregory-the-thaumaturgus-nicholas-the-bishop-and-st-myron-the-wonderworker-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241121
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241122
DTSTAMP:20260421T125352
CREATED:20211010T235036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T071411Z
UID:19427-1732147200-1732233599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Presentation of Three Year Old St. Mary to the Church
DESCRIPTION:  \nOne of the feasts dedicated to the Holy Virgin is the presentation of three year old Mary (Holy Mother of God) to the temple. All Christian Churches celebrate this feast on November 21. \nAccording to the Holy Tradition of the Church\, when Mary turns three the parents of the Holy Virgin\, Joachim and Anna\, fulfilling their promise\, bring Mary to the Temple and present her to God. Mary remains in the Church till her engagement. \nThe establishment of the feast is related to the Cathedral\, which was built by the King Justinianos in honour of St. Mary\, the Holy Mother of God\, in the place of the old Jewish temple\, on the hill of Moria. The cathedral was consecrated on November 21\, 543 AD. \nAfter 638 AD\, when the Cathedral\, built by the King Justinianos\, was converted into a Moslem temple\, the celebration of the feast spread throughout the entire Christian world. The Feast of the Presentation of St. Mary to the Church was included in the Armenian Apostolic Church Calendar in the nineteenth century.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/presentation-of-three-year-old-st-mary-to-the-church-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241116
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241117
DTSTAMP:20260421T125352
CREATED:20211015T060122Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T081704Z
UID:20122-1731715200-1731801599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Apostles Andrew and Philip
DESCRIPTION:  \nBefore becoming Christ’s disciple\, Apostle Andrew had been the disciple of St. John the Baptist. He was the brother of the Apostle Peter and was a fisherman. After the Ascension of the Lord and the Descent of the Holy Spirit\, Apostle Andrew preached in Northern Greece and in Scythe. \nThe Gospel of John recounts Philip’s calling as a disciple of Jesus. Apostle Philip is described as a disciple from the city of Bethsaida\, and John the Evangelist connects him with Andrew and Peter\, who were from the same town. He also was among those surrounding John the Baptist when the latter first pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God. It was Philip who first introduced Nathanael (sometimes identified with Bartholomew) to Jesus. According to Butler\, Philip was among those attending the wedding at Cana. \nApostle Philip preached in Asia Minor and he was martyred and crucified in the town of Heliople.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-apostles-andrew-and-phillip-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Andrew-e1634717757870.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241109
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241110
DTSTAMP:20260421T125352
CREATED:20211009T061712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211020T030411Z
UID:19988-1731110400-1731196799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of Archangels Gabriel and Michael and the Entire Heavenly Class
DESCRIPTION:  \nAccording to the Angelology of the Armenian Church the angels are unfleshly\, spiritual\, independent\, always moving\, asexual\, immortal creatures and God’s servants. According to the Church Fathers\, the angels\, as luminous creatures\, have been created on the first day of Creation\, together with the light. By God’s order they are servants\, they have been created to serve humans. Therefore\, they are servants\, who despite being dyophysite\, participate in the earthly life\, act together with the human being living in time and space\, they act for the human being. The angels are called the messengers and agents of God\, who realise God’s will. According to Dionysius of Areopagus (Areopagite)\, there are nine orders of angels – Angels\, Archangels\, Virtues\, Powers\, Principalities\, Dominations\, Throne\, Cherubim and Seraphim. \nArchangel Gabriel\, whose name means “God’s man”\, is God’s direct servant\, who is granted the grace to evangelise the Lord’s mysteries. It was Archangel Gabriel\, who was sent by the Lord to bring the good news to the Virgin about the birth of the Saviour\, and to Zechariah – to bring the good news about the birth of John the Baptist. \nArchangel Michael\, whose name means “Who is like God?”\, is the advocate for the Heavenly King’s glory and His people’s protection\, who is granted the virtue to govern and rule. The name of Archangel Michael is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures four times (The Book of Daniel\,10:13\, 12:1\, The Letter from Jude 1:9\, The Revelation to John 11:7).
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-archangels-gabriel-and-michael-and-the-entire-heavenly-class-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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