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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281029
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281030
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211009T025905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T112850Z
UID:29964-1856390400-1856476799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
DESCRIPTION:  \nThis is the crowning of the celebrations of the Holy Cross\, within the cycle of an entire calendar year. The Apostolic Churches owe this important feast\, upon which the other celebrations of the Cross throughout the year are established\, to Queen Helena (Heghineh)\, the mother of Byzantine Emperor Constantine. In 327\, the Queen\, who was in her mid-seventies\, set out on a long journey to Jerusalem with the primary intention of finding the actual Cross upon which Jesus Christ had been crucified. Following a series of inquiries\, with the help of a local Jew named Judas in Golgotha (where Christ was crucified)\, the Cross was discovered\, and the authenticity of the relic was tested by a miracle. \nWhen the Cross was unearthed\, two other crosses were found in the same place. Jesus was crucified with two thieves\, and when the three crosses were discovered side by side\, it raised questions about which was the True Cross. Just then\, a funeral procession was passing by. The procession was stopped\, and the corpse of the deceased was placed upon the first cross. Nothing happened. The corpse was then placed upon the second cross. Again\, nothing happened. Finally\, the corpse was placed upon the third cross which happened to be the True Cross. Immediately\, the deceased came back to life having touched the very wood upon which Jesus had been crucified. \nAfter that miracle\, Judas Cyriacus is converted to Christianity and later becomes a bishop of Jerusalem. After the discovery of the Holy Cross\, Heghineh renovated the Holy Places of Jerusalem and built the Church of Holy Resurrection of Golgotha\, where later the Lord’s cross was installed. \nQueen Heghineh (Helena) passed away in 330 A.D. \nFor information on all the Feasts Dedicated to the Holy Cross please click here.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-discovery-of-the-holy-cross-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281101
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211028T100501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T113205Z
UID:29968-1856563200-1856649599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of  Saints Severianos of Sebastia and Babylas of Nicomedia
DESCRIPTION:  \nSt Severianos (St Severian) was a senator from Sebastia\, who was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. \nDuring the 4th century\, the Forty Holy Martyrs (Karasoun Mangounk) were imprisoned by the pagan emperor Licinius\, because of their steadfast refusal to renounce their faith. St Severian showed sincere compassion for the forty Christian soldiers. He visited the captives in prison\, raised their spirits and appealed to their valour and stoic strength. These martyrs eventually met their death at Lake Sebaste. \nHalf a year later\, Severian was also brought to trial for confessing the Christian Faith and he was subjected to cruel tortures. Deeply devoted to the will of God\, Saint Severian called out to the Lord during his torment\, imploring Him for the strength to endure the suffering and to complete his deed of martyrdom. \nAfter intense torture\, and unbroken in his faith\, the holy martyr was suspended from the city wall with one stone chained around his neck\, and another chained to his feet until he eventually died. His body was carried by the christians of Sebaste to his home\, where the locals paid their respects and prayed over him. Amidst all this\, a servant of Saint Severian\, who had just died\, miraculously awoke to follow his master’s final path. He continued to live another fifteen years\, never leaving the burial place of the holy martyr. \nThe Martyr Babylas and 84 disciples with him suffered in the city of Nicomedia for confessing Christianity during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). The emperor\, who was then in Nicomedia\, renewed the persecutions against the Christians. \nLike many other believers\, Saint Babylas was denounced as someone who was instructing children in Christian piety. When Babylas was brought before the emperor\, he confessed that there was only on true God and thus he was subjected to a host of torments. \nDuring his sufferings\, the holy martyr cried to God\, “I thank You\, O Lord\, that You have made me\, who am old and infirm\, to be young and strong.” After being pelted with stones\, he was clapped in irons and taken to prison. \nThen Babylas’ young disciples were brought before the emperor. Neither flattery nor promise of gifts were able to alter the Christian convictions of the children. Two of them\, Ammonias and Donatus\, firmly declared\, “We are Christians\, and we will not offer sacrifice to deaf and dumb devils.” \nThe emperor flew into a rage over the unexpected and firm rebuke from the children. At first\, he ordered them to be whipped\, and later to be put to death by beheading\, together with their teacher. On the way to execution\, the holy Martyr Babylas quoted Isaiah\, “Behold\, I and the children which God has given me” (Isaiah 8:18). With spiritual rejoicing\, first Saint Babylas\, and then his 84 disciples\, received the crown of martyrdom. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-saints-severianos-of-sebastia-and-babylas-of-nicomedia-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Severian-Babylas.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281102
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281103
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211015T025002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T113546Z
UID:29972-1856736000-1856822399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Pontiff St John the Chrysostom
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Pontiff St John the Chrysostom\, is one of the most prominent and gracious Fathers of the Universal Church. He was born in Antioch\, in 347 AD. He studied in the Theological School of Antioch and advanced his skills in public speaking in the School of Libanios. From a young age\, he led an ascetic life. In 381 AD he was ordained as a Deacon by Meletios of Antioch and in 386 AD was ordained as a priest by Flavianos. Thanks to his brilliant and eloquent speeches and sermons he has been give the title “Chrysostom”\, from the Greek meaning “golden mouthed”. \nIn 398 AD he was elected the Patriarch of Constantinople and zealously initiated renovation and reconstruction works of the capital city. He was most concerned with the spiritual and temporal needs of the poor. He spoke out against abuse of wealth and personal property. In many respects\, the following he amassed was no surprise. His straightforward understanding of the Scriptures (in contrast to the Alexandrian tendency towards allegorical interpretation) meant that the themes of his talks were eminently social\, explaining the Christian’s conduct in life. \nHowever\, amorality and religious indifferences were dominant among the people\, the court and the clergy. St John Chrysostom condemned and criticised all forms and manifestations of amorality and as a result\, he raised the Queen Eudoxia’s anger. The Patriarch Theophilos of Alexandria\, who wished to become the Patriarch of Constantinople\, supported the Queen in her criticisms of St John Chrysostom. \nAn alliance was soon formed against him by Eudoxia\, Theophilos and other enemies of his. They held a synod (assembly) in 403AD to charge John\, in which the accusation of Origenism was used against him. It resulted in his deposition and banishment. However\, during the night of the exile\, a terrible earthquake and fire occurred which Eudoxia took as a sign of God’s anger and promptly reinstated John. \nSt John the Chrysostom continued to criticise the wrong and immoral way of life of the court. Ignoring the people’s sympathy towards the Patriarch and the protection of the Western Church\, the King Arkadios and the Queen Eudoxia again issued an order to exile the saint. St John was exiled to Pontos and was martyred in the town of Komana. His last words were: “Glory to You\, God\, glory to You\, glory to You for everything.” His remains were buried in the Church of St Apostles of Constantinople in 438 AD. \nSt John the Chrysostom is the author of many interpretations\, speeches\, odes\, epistles and letters\, which have had positive influences on the history of the Christian mind. His works have been translated into Armenian during his lifetime.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-pontiff-st-john-the-chrysostom-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Johnchrysostom.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281109
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281110
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211009T061712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T115518Z
UID:29996-1857340800-1857427199@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/9_29_archangelsl-e1634698876115.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281119
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211015T060122Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T120112Z
UID:30009-1858118400-1858204799@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Andrew-e1634717757870.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281120
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211010T015826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T120540Z
UID:30022-1858204800-1858291199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Eve of the Fast of Advent (Hisnag)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Eve of the Fast of Advent marks the day before the start of the period of “Fifty Days” (Hisnag or Yisnak) that concludes with the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. \nIn the Armenian Church\, the season is introduced by a week of fasting\, called “the Fast of the Beginning of Hisnag”. \nDuring Advent (meaning the coming of Christ) we rededicate ourselves to Christ through our actions\, thoughts and prayers. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/eve-of-the-fast-of-advent-hisnag-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eve-of-the-Fast-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281121
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281122
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211010T235036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T121148Z
UID:30035-1858377600-1858463999@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-2-4-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281125
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281126
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211029T030420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T123917Z
UID:30087-1858723200-1858809599@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Nicholas-Myrna.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281125
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281126
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211031T100607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T121618Z
UID:30048-1858723200-1858809599@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281202
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281203
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T222953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T122331Z
UID:30061-1859328000-1859414399@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281205
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281206
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T225248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T125959Z
UID:30131-1859587200-1859673599@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281207
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281208
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211101T050913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T123413Z
UID:30074-1859760000-1859846399@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281209
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281210
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T230220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T124929Z
UID:30113-1859932800-1860019199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Conception of Saint Mary by Anna
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nSt. Mary is known in the Armenian Church as Asdvadzamayr-Asdvadzadzin\, the “Mother of God” and the “Bearer of God” a position doctrinally established at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in the 5th century. \nHer life of holiness and purity\, and her graceful acceptance of the role to which God called her\, as the mother of Jesus Christ\, all make Mary one of the pre-eminent exemplars of the Christian faith\, whose birth and very conception are occasions for celebration in the church. \nOnly those aspects of St. Mary’s life\, which are directly related to Christ are recorded in the Gospel. The remainder of her biography is attributed to tradition\, which is found in ancient ecclesiastical literature. \nIn all likelihood\, Mary was born in Bethlehem or Nazareth\, some 20 years before Christ’s nativity. Her parents\, Joachim and Anna\, were a devout couple whose earnest prayers for a child were answered with the birth of a daughter. \nAlthough Mary was born naturally\, she is considered morally pure and immaculate. It is for this reason that the church celebrates not only her birth\, but also her conception\, which the Armenian and the Greek Orthodox churches observe on December 9\, and the Roman Catholic Church celebrates on December 8. \nThe concept of Mary’s moral purity later developed into the question of her Immaculate Conception (from Anna)\, a doctrine adopted by the Roman Catholic Church in 1854. The Armenian Church\, however\, does not accept this\, as only Christ was immaculately conceived. \nHowever\, Mary’s purity is unquestioned. According to the teachings of the Armenian Church\, at the time of the Annunciation\, when the Holy Spirit entered Mary\, she was cleansed of all original sin\, as she was to be the vessel in which God manifest was to be incarnated. \nAccording to tradition\, following the Ascension of Christ\, Mary lived out the rest of her days in Jerusalem\, cared for by St. John the Evangelist. She died in Jerusalem some 15 years after Christ’s Ascension and was buried in her family tomb in Gethsemane.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/conception-of-saint-mary-by-anna-3-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281210
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281211
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T000413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T124504Z
UID:30100-1860019200-1860105599@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281216
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281217
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T231015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T125437Z
UID:30118-1860537600-1860623999@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281223
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281224
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T232153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T130501Z
UID:30144-1861142400-1861228799@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281226
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T233406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T130650Z
UID:30148-1861315200-1861401599@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. \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-3-3-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281226
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281227
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T233914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T131120Z
UID:30161-1861401600-1861487999@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281229
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T234532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T132000Z
UID:30187-1861574400-1861660799@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20281229
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20281230
DTSTAMP:20260504T172257
CREATED:20211011T234959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T131500Z
UID:30174-1861660800-1861747199@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-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eve-of-the-Fast-3.jpg
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