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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230401
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230402
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211016T002542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T054143Z
UID:19744-1680307200-1680393599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Lazarus Saturday
DESCRIPTION:  \nOn the 41st day of the period of Great Lent\, the Armenian Church commemorates Lazarus being raised from the dead. \nIn the Armenian Church\, Holy Week (Avak Shapat) begins not on Palm Sunday\, but on Lazarus Saturday\, the day before Palm Sunday. It is not a fasting day or a saints’ day\, even though Lazarus is a saint in the Armenian Church. It is a dominical day on which daily services\, including Badarak\, are celebrated. \nThe story of the raising of Lazarus\, the last event prior to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday\, properly initiates Holy Week and sets the theme of Zadig (Easter)\, and it is Easter that sets the theme for our lives. \nThe Gospel according to St. John (Jn 11:11-46) relates the story. Lazarus was from a family loved by Jesus Christ. He was the brother of Mary and Martha\, who often received Jesus. Lazarus died after succumbing to an illness. Upon hearing that His friend has died\, Christ went to visit the family\, and said to Martha\, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will live\, even though he dies…” \nChrist asks Martha if she believes this\, to which she replies\, “Yes\, Lord.  I do believe that you are the Messiah\, who was to come into the world.” Christ\, standing before the grave\, commands Lazarus to come forth\, and he appears\, being restored to life. By doing so\, Christ proves that He is\, in fact\, “Life and Resurrection”. \nThe Gospel story telling about the raising of Lazarus contains the passage: “Jesus wept.” The Jews\, seeing Jesus expressing grief\, said: “See how much he loved him!” \nThe raising of Lazarus is an example of the coming resurrection of all those who have fallen asleep in Christ. The weeping of Jesus demonstrates His great love towards mankind. \nIt is not the story of the person of Lazarus that draws the attention for Armenian Christians\, rather what it tells us about Jesus Christ\, the Caller to Life\, and the temporary chapter that is death. Jesus has conquered death\, and shares with us his resurrection of life (see Romans 8:11\, I Peter 1:3). \n“In His humanity Jesus wept for Lazarus; in His divinity he raised him from the dead.” Pope Leo I
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/lazarus-saturday-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Lazarus.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230403
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211016T065523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T073649Z
UID:19851-1680393600-1680479999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Palm Sunday: Dzaghgazart and Trnpatsek
DESCRIPTION:  \nPalm Sunday is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy\, when the altar curtain reopens\, after being closed for the period of Lent. \nThe celebration marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as he rode on a donkey. Crowds gathered to greet him spreading cloaks and branches before him\, shouting “Hosanna in the highest” to welcome the long awaited Messiah. \nFollowing the Divine Liturgy\, the Trnpatsek ceremony (Opening of the Doors) takes place. \nThe story of Palm Sunday itself is going through a door\, as Jesus enters Jerusalem. In the Armenian Church\, it’s also the doorway to Holy Week. The door is the vivid central image of Trnpatsek. This ceremony involves two voices\, the priest and the deacon\, each positioned on either side of the door (or the closed altar curtain). \nThe deacon\, is outside\, kneeling in front of the door or curtain as he pleads on behalf of the faithful for the Lord to open His Kingdom to us. \nThe priest\, who is positioned behind the door\, inside the church or near the altar\, represent the voice of Jesus Christ\, guarding the gates of the Kingdom. \nThe service commences with the words “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. From the Lord’s house\, we praise You!” These words are from the book of Psalms. The crowds of Jerusalem shouted them at Jesus when he entered the city on the first Palm Sunday. \n“Confess the Lord\, for He is good; His mercy will last forever. Out of my distress I called on the Lord\, but with the Lord on my side\, I have no fear. The Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my Salvation. Open to me this door of righteousness\, that I may enter through it and confess the Lord.” \nAs the deacon is speaking for us\, the faithful can join their voices with the deacon’s sharagan “Grant us vigilance…let the door of the mercy of the heavenly bridegroom be opened to us. You are my hope\, O Lord…make me worthy of Your Holy Kingdom.” It’s at this point we hear the knock at the door as the deacon knocks three times. If the deacon is kneeling before the altar curtain\, he strikes a wooden plank. All the while he chants the beautiful melody “Pats Mez Der” (Open for Us\, Lord). “Open for us\, Lord\, the door of mercy\, we cry to You lamenting.” \nNow\, from the other side of the door or curtain\, we hear the priest\, the voice of Christ calling to us “Come O blessed of My Father\, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.” It’s the answer all the faithful have been praying for. The doors open\, the faithful enter the church and with spiritual joy we sing\, “Open the doors of righteousness for me; Let me enter and confess the Lord.” \nTrnpatsek points us to the true door and brings to life the words of Christ “I am the door; if anyone enters by Me\, he will be saved.” \nPalm Sunday is also proclaimed Children’s Blessing Day in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Traditionally\, children come to Church with their families dressed in their Sunday best to partake in Holy Mass and a special blessing service before the altar. At the conclusion of the Church service\, a procession is led outside the Church\, by the celebrant\, with the children holding decorated candles. \nOn Palm Sunday\, churches are decorated with branches from willow trees and palm trees.  Following a solemn morning service\, the blessed branches are distributed to the faithful. \nThe triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem introduces the historical events leading up to Christ’s betrayal\, crucifixion and resurrection. Together with Lazarus Saturday\, the day before\, it also commences the dense liturgical time of Holy Week. With joyous shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” the residents of Jerusalem greeted Jesus\, telling those who were unsure of what was happing\, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” \nJesus\, Himself greeted as a prophet\, was also the fulfillment and culmination of prophecies. This fulfillment is in part why we celebrate the Resurrection of Lazarus the week before Easter. Just like Jonah\, who was in the belly of the great fish for three days\, was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ Resurrection\, so the resurrection of Lazarus anticipates the Resurrection of Christ\, which all Christians celebrate on Easter. \nPalm Sunday reminds each of us about the Coming of Christ\, and teaches us to live in a manner that can make us worthy to stand before the Lord and exclaim: “Hosanna (Praise God)! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/palm-sunday-dzaghgazart-2-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Palm-Sunday-e1634366544635.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230403
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230404
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211016T102112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T104005Z
UID:19875-1680480000-1680566399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy Monday
DESCRIPTION:  \nOn Holy Monday\, the scriptures help us remember the story of Creation\, of man’s fall into sinfulness as well as the story of the barren fig tree\, which Christ dried up because it bore no fruit. \nThe Gospel readings tell us about the story of the “cursed fig tree.” Jesus was going from Bethany to Jerusalem. He was hungry and saw a fig tree by the side of the road and went to it\, but found nothing on it except leaves. So He said to the tree\, “You will never again bear fruit!” At once the fig tree dried up. The disciples saw this and were astounded. “How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?” they asked. Jesus answered\, “If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Mt 21:22). \nOn this day\, the faithful are invited to remember the lesson that we are created in the image of God\, and we are called to examine our inner selves and with clean hearts and thoughts to renew our faithfulness and transform our lives and bear the fruits of virtue. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-monday-3/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Monday-e1634717599137.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230404
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230405
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211016T103648Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T103709Z
UID:19868-1680566400-1680652799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy Tuesday
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\nOn Holy Tuesday we read the story of the ten maidens (virgins)\, five of whom were wise enough to bring extra oil for their lamps while they were waiting for the bridegroom to come and take them to a wedding feast. Five foolish maids did not bring extra oil\, and while they went out to buy more\, the bridegroom arrived and took the five wise maids into the wedding banquet with him. \nIn this parable\, Jesus describes the Heavenly Kingdom as being like the ten maidens waiting with trimmed lanterns for a bridegroom\, five being wise and five being foolish. \nThis parable conveys the message of the last Judgment and appeals to us that we must always be ready and prepared for the coming of Christ. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-tuesday-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Tuesday-2.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230405
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211016T110141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T110209Z
UID:19883-1680652800-1680739199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\nHoly Wednesday commemorates the anointing of Jesus Christ by a woman in Bethany and the Betrayal of Christ. \nIn the Gospel of St. Matthew\, we learn that while Jesus was dining with his Apostles in Bethany\, in the home of Simon the leper\, a woman came in with an alabaster jar filled with valuable perfume. She opened the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples witnessing this act become upset\, as the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds could have been given to the poor. Jesus hearing their displeasure said\, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you; but me you do not always have me.”  The woman’s actions foreshadowed His preparation for burial. “For in that she has poured this ointment on my body\, she did it for my burial\,” said Christ (Mt 26:6-13). \nFollowing this we learn that one of the Twelve\, who was called Judas Iscariot\, went to the high priests and inquired\, “What are you willing to give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They offered him 30 pieces of silver\, and from then on he began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Mt 26:14-16). \nOn Holy Wednesday we thus remember two contrasting lessons; the betrayal of Jesus and the worshipful anointing of Jesus to show love and respect for Him. Examining our lives and comparing them with the two types of contrasting acts\, the church asks “What are you doing as a child of God? Are you betraying your Lord with your actions or are you faithfully and lovingly worshipping Him?” \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-wednesday-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Wednesday.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230406
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230407
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211016T123808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220415T023257Z
UID:19896-1680739200-1680825599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy (Maundy) Thursday - Avak Hingshapty
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Armenian Church has three services on Maundy Thursday\, symbolising three different events in the last days of the earthly ministry of Christ. The morning service commemorates The Last Supper\, at which Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist by giving Holy Communion to His disciples. \nDuring a Passover meal\, Christ broke and distributed unleavened bread and shared the wine with His apostles\, identifying these elements as His Body and Blood. Through this sacrament\, mankind participates in the Kingdom of God. \nIn the afternoon the Washing of the Feet (Vodnleva) service takes place\, commemorating the humility and service of our Lord Jesus Christ in washing the feet of His disciples. During this service\, twelve young men beautifully portray the Apostles while the celebrant portrays Christ himself\, taking off his outer robe and washing their feet as a sign of humility and servitude. During this time also\, olive oil or butter is blessed and used for the anointing of feet. The faithful are given a portion of this oil to bring to their homes at the conclusion of the service. \n\n\nA sombre Vigil service is held in the evening\, commemorating the betrayal\, arrest\, trial and suffering of Christ. Khavaroom (Darkness) is undoubtedly the most spiritually compelling and moving of all the Armenian Church’s services. It consists of an elaborate Night Service (Keesherayeen Zham) plus the Morning Service (Aravodyan Zham)\, liturgically part of Good Friday\, but in actuality performed late on Holy Thursday. \nDuring Khavaroom\, we keep vigil along with the Apostles\, who did so while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Seven passages are read from the Gospel which reflect the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane\, the betrayal of Judas\, the commitment of Jesus to the crowd\, His standing before Annas and Caiaphas\, His being struck and mocked\, Peter’s three denials and regret. The readings from the Gospels are interspersed with the readings of psalms and the singing of hymns (sharagans) written by St. Nerses the Graceful. \nThe readings are as follows: John 13:16-18:1; Luke 22:1-65; Mark 14:27-72; Matthew 26:31-56; Matthew 26:57-75; John 18:2-27; John 18:28-19:16. \nThe service starts with thirteen candles: one large central candle\, with eleven smaller lit candles and one smaller black candle unlit. The unlit candle symbolises Judas Iscariot\, who would betray Christ that evening. Six candles sit on either side of the central candle. The thirteen candles are placed before either a cross or a painting of the Crucifixion at the center of the altar. Following each Gospel lesson\, the candles are extinguished two by two. A single candle is left to remind us of Christ’s singular presence in the darkness and the fact that Jesus was left alone to die on the cross. The faithful listen to each Gospel reading\, usually on their feet. In some Armenian Church communities\, the faithful tie seven hitch knots on a white thread\, one for each Gospel reading. After the service\, they tie it on their wrist and keep them tied for forty days until Christ’s ascension. \nAfter the Bible readings\, the final candle and all the lights of the church are extinguished and “Glory to God in the Highest” (Park ee Partsoons) is sung. In some places\, the clergy then chant Der Voghormia forty times in a particular plaintive tone. While not mentioned in the rubrics for the Khavaroom service\, the beautiful hymn “Where are you\, my mother?” (Oor es Mayr Im) is often sung after Park ee Partsoons\, whilst the church is still dark. \nAt the conclusion of the service\, the Worship of the Holy Cross (Khachi Ko Krisdos Yergirbakanemk) is conducted. \nTraditionally\, Armenians have always attended Khavaroom in large numbers. In many places throughout the world\, this important vigil service can be of great length\, lasting into the late hours of the night and thus for practical purposes\, it has been condensed to a more suitable length. \n\n\nHoly Thursday is beyond a doubt the longest and weightiest liturgical day of the year\, one very close to the hearts of the Armenian people throughout the centuries. The service of Maundy Thursday prepares us to remember the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord on Good Friday. \n  \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-maundy-thursday-avak-hingshapty-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-last-supper.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230407
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230408
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211017T061417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211017T061548Z
UID:19907-1680825600-1680911999@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Good Friday - Avak Ourpat
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\nGood Friday (Holy Friday)\, commemorates Christ’s tortures\, Crucifixion\, Death and Burial. \nOn Friday morning\, Jesus\, subjected to all kinds of humiliation\, was forced personally to carry the heavy wooden cross to the heights of Golgotha. Suffering intensely\, He reached Golgotha where the Crucifixion was accomplished. By midday He was already nailed to the Cross. Fixed on it were the deriding words\, “Jesus of Nazareth\, King of the Jews.” Four Roman soldiers had carried out the sentence. Jesus’ robe fell by lot to one of them. The act conforms to Psalm 22:18\,”they divided my garments among them\, and for my raiment they cast lots.” According to Matthew 27:35\, “And when they had crucified him they divided his garments among them by casting lots.” At noon the sun darkened over.  The crowd dispersed.  For three hours there was utter confusion.  Jesus\, having shed His blood\, had reached His end. \nThe Crucifixion Service (Gark Khachelootyan) takes place first with Psalms\, hymns and readings commemorating the crucifixion\, final hours and final sayings of Christ. The Worship of the Holy Cross is performed once again\, with everyone standing\, as there is no liturgical kneeling allowed during the daytime on Good Friday. \nJesus\, who had been crucified along with two robbers\, needed to be taken down from the Cross and buried that same day. It was against Jewish custom to conduct a burial on the Sabbath (Saturday). The soldiers tested to see if Jesus had died. One of them pierced Jesus’ side with a spear\, and blood and water flowed out. It confirmed Jesus’ death. \nThe burial was undertaken by special permission by a devout man named Joseph of Arimathea. The vault was in his own garden\, at the foot of Golgotha. Devout women of Galilee were there. The body was placed in a tomb hewn into a rock\, and a huge rock was placed at the door. On the insistence of the priests\, the governor ordered a guard to be placed at the tomb\, for three days. \nThe Burial Service (Gark Taghman) is performed late on the afternoon of Holy Friday\, this being one of the more beloved services of the Armenian people. During this service a “tomb” (or representation) is draped in black and decorated with candles and flowers\, which the faithful bring as an offering to the crucified Lord of Glory. During this service\, a very beautiful and haunting rendition of the hymn “Soorp Asdvadz” is sung. The Worship of the Cross is performed once again\, whilst kneeling. At the end of the service\, the faithful are invited to approach and venerate the tomb\, and to receive a flower. \nThe Requiem Service (Entanour Hokehankist) directly follows the Gark Taghman. \n  \n\n\n\nCourtesy of “Feasts of the Armenian Church and National Traditions” by Garo Bedrosian\, 1993
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/good-friday-avak-ourpat-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Crucifixion-e1634449227266.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230408
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230409
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211017T063507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211017T063532Z
UID:19917-1680912000-1680998399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Holy Saturday: Jrakalouyts
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n\n\nThe Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ starts on the eve and continues after midnight. \nOn Holy Saturday\, in the evening\, the Vigil Office of the Lighting of Lamps (Jrakalooyts) commences at sundown\, the entry into Easter Sunday. \nDuring this service of scripture lessons\, the faithful hear the prophecies proudly heralding Christ’s Resurrection. The crossing of the Israelites through the Red Sea\, the taking up of Elijah in the Chariot of Fire\, the story of Jonah the Prophet and the salvation of the Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace are all among those readings which foreshadow mankind’s salvation\, the victory over death and the destruction of hell brought about by Christ’s Resurrection. \nThe vigil readings give way immediately into the Vigil Divine Liturgy\, the first to be celebrated in triumphant commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection from among the dead. \nFollowing the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy\, the assembled faithful welcome each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ conveying the great tiding:  “Christ is Risen from the dead” and receive the answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.” The faithful take lit candles home\, symbolising the Light that Christ brought into the world. \n  \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/holy-saturday-jrakalouyts-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Saturday.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230409
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230410
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211010T075404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T001144Z
UID:19945-1680998400-1681084799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Easter Sunday/Zadig)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. \nThe Mystery of Easter is the mystery of Jesus Christ\, His Holy Blood was shed and His Rising from the dead was for mankind. The Son of God should incarnate\, be subjected to tortures\, be crucified\, buried and the third day raise from death (Ps 15:9-11\, 29:4\, 40:11-13\, 117:16-17\, Ho 6:2-3). \nFollowing the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ\, His body was taken off the cross and placed into the tomb and the entrance to the tomb was closed by a large stone. The soldiers were ordered to watch the entrance to the tomb. After three days\, the three women who had followed Jesus from Galilee\, Mary Magdalene\, Mary\, the Mother of James and Joseph and the wife of Zebedee\, brought spices and perfumes to anoint the body of Jesus. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb\, so they went in but they didn’t see the body of the Lord. They stood there puzzled about this\, when suddenly two angels dressed in white appeared and said to them\, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here\, he has been raised” (Lk 24:5-6). The women returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven disciples and the people. According to Peter\, more than 500 people saw Christ\, who had risen from the dead. \nChrist rose from the dead\, He destroyed Death and granted eternal life. \n“I am the Resurrection and I am the Life. Whoever believes in me will live\, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25). \nThe Resurrection of Christ became the basis of the Christian doctrine and faith. “If that is true\, it means that Christ has been raised from death\, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe” (1 Co 15:13-14). \nChrist died for the salvation of mankind and by His Blood took away the sin in the world\, so that we should inherit eternal life. \nOn Easter Sunday\, the Andastan Service (the blessing of the four corners of the world) is conducted in the Armenian Church\, and during Holy Mass the faithful greet each other\, conveying the great tiding:  “Christ is Risen from the dead/ Kristos Haryav ee Merelotz” and receive the reply: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ/ Ornyal e Haroutyoun Kristosi” \nAt Easter we traditionally dye eggs red as a symbol of a fruitful life\, salvation and joy.  St Gregory of Datev considers the egg to be the symbol of the world\, the shell of which is the sky\, the membrane is the air\, the white is the water and the yolk is the earth. Dyeing eggs red symbolises the salvation of the world by means of the Blood of Christ. \nThe Armenian Church celebrates the Easter Feast on the first Sunday following the full moon of the vernal equinox\, with 35 days moveability\, during the period from March 21 –April 26.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/feast-of-the-glorious-resurrection-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-easter-sunday-zadig-2/
CATEGORIES:Major Feasts (Daghavarner)
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Easter.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230409
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230410
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211023T080201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T080228Z
UID:20347-1680998400-1681084799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commencement of Hinoonk: Eastertide
DESCRIPTION:  \n\nThe liturgical season of Lent prepared us for the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The fathers of the Church designated the 50 days following Easter (Hinoonk) for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Thus\, from Easter until Pentecost\, the liturgical services of the Church are indeed celebrations of the Risen Christ. \nApart from the specially designated Sundays\, two other feasts are commemorated during Hinoonk. \nThe Saturday following Easter\, the Armenian Church commemorates the Beheading of St John the Baptist (also known as the Forerunner). \nThe first 40 days end with the Feast of Ascension\, which is celebrated on the Thursday of the sixth week of Resurrection. \nDuring Hinoonk\, the Lectionary is arranged such that every day a passage is read from the Book of Acts of the Apostles to impress upon us the effect of the Resurrection of Christ on his disciples and the formation and the development of the Christian community. A passage from each Gospel is read everyday from the beginning until the Passion narratives: Luke at Matins\, John at the Divine Liturgy\, Matthew at the beginning and Mark at the end of Vespers. The Blessing of the Fields (The Four Corners of the World Antasdan) Service is offered every Sunday\, as it was on Easter Sunday. We thus continue to greet one another with the good news that: \nChrist is Risen from the Dead \nKrisdos Haryav ee Merelots. \nEach of the Sundays following Easter have a special designation. \n\nNew Sunday \nNew Sunday or Renewal Sunday (Nor Giragi) is also called Second Easter (Grgnazadig)\, which means “Easter repeated” as it is the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to Easter in readings and hymns. \nSunday of the World Church (Green Sunday) \nThe second Sunday of Easter commemorates the first Church of Jerusalem\, established by Christ. On the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover\, Jesus instructs two of the Apostles\, Peter and John\, to go into Jerusalem and meet a man\, who would direct them to a house where Christ and His Apostles could celebrate the Passover Feast. Peter and John are led to the “Upper Room” of a house\, where they make the necessary preparations for the meal. Later that evening\, Christ and the Twelve Apostles sit together to eat supper. This “Last Supper” was the event where Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion\, which we celebrate every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is considered to be the first Church\, as founded by Christ. The Sunday of the World Church is also called “Green” Sunday\, which according to Archbishop Malachia Ormanian\, is the popular name of the feast and is linked with the awakening of nature in the Springtime. \nRed Sunday \nAlthough there seems to be no ecclesiastical origin or significance for Red Sunday\, the colour red recalls numerous themes within Christianity and the tradition of the Armenian Church. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that redeems and heals us\, the source of life which spilled into the ground from the Cross to give life and salvation to the entire created order. \nThe colour red also recalls the blood of the Church martyrs: those who follow the pattern of Jesus\, those men and women who demonstrated valiant faith\, unafraid to die for Jesus Christ\, confident in his words and promise to raise to new life for those who know and follow him. \nFeast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross \nThis feast is dedicated to the Apparition of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. \nSecond Palm Sunday \nThe name of the feast has been derived from Palm Sunday\, which precedes Easter. The Second Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the triumphant entry of the Ascended Christ into the Heavenly Jerusalem\, where the angels meet him with great happiness and delight. \nSecond Palm Sunday is a reminder of the hope to ascend to heaven after our deaths\, and being in the bliss of God’s presence. \nFeast of Pentecost (Hokekaloust) \nThe coming of the Holy Spirit (or Hokekaloust in Armenian) is celebrated by the Armenian Church\, as in all Christian churches\, 50 days after Easter.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commencement-of-hinoonk-eastertide-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Eastertide-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230416
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211023T072914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T080751Z
UID:20327-1681516800-1681603199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Beheading of St John the Baptist
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Saturday following the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, the Armenian Church commemorates the beheading of St John the Baptist (also known as The Forerunner). \nThe writers of the Gospels\, St Matthew and St Mark\, have explained the history of beheading of St John the Baptist\, who had baptised Christ and gave the good news of His Coming (Mt 14:1-12; St. Mk 6:14-29). \nAccording to the Evangelists\, King Herod arrests and imprisons St John the Baptist\, as a result of John’s condemnation of the king’s marriage to Herodias\, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod wants to put John to death\, but fears the Jews because they considered John to be a prophet. \nOn Herod’s birthday\, fascinated by the dancing of the daughter of Herodias (Salome)\, the king makes an oath to give her anything for which she asks. Following her unforgiving mother’s instructions\, she asks for the head of St John the Baptist on a platter. The king\, realising he has been fooled\, grants the request. \nSt John the Baptist is one of the greatest saints in the Armenian Church. We entreat his name as an intercessor during the divine services\, generally following the name of St Mary. According to tradition\, St Gregory the Illuminator\, brought the relics of St John to Armenia from Caesarea\, and buried them near the town of Moush\, after which the famous Monastery of St John the Baptist was built. Tradition also tells us that the head of St John the Baptist is buried underneath the Holy Altar of the Gandzasar Monastery in Artsakh. St John the Baptist remains one of the most popular saints among the Armenian faithful.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-beheading-of-st-john-the-baptist-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/beheading-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230416
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230417
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211023T074955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T075117Z
UID:20338-1681603200-1681689599@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:New (Renewal) Sunday
DESCRIPTION:  \nNew Sunday or Renewal Sunday (Nor Giragi) is also called Second Easter (Grgnazadig)\, which means “Easter repeated” as it is the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to Easter in readings and hymns. \nEaster means freedom and the new Sunday is a day of double freedom. God has set us free from sins although we are under the influence of passions. When God does everything in a new way to set us free from needs\, it is called New Sunday. \n 
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/new-renewal-sunday-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Renewal2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230424
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211023T081949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T083525Z
UID:20362-1682208000-1682294399@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Sunday of the World Church (Green Sunday)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe second Sunday of Easter commemorates Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor)\, the first Church of Jerusalem\, established by Christ. \nOn the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover\, Jesus instructs two of the Apostles\, Peter and John\, to go into Jerusalem and meet a man\, who would direct them to a house where Christ and His Apostles could celebrate the Passover Feast. Peter and John are led to the “Upper Room” of a house\, where they make the necessary preparations for the meal. Later that evening\, Christ and the Twelve Apostles sit together to eat supper. This “Last Supper” was the event where Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion\, which we celebrate every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is considered to be the first Church\, as founded by Christ. \nThe Sunday of the World Church is also called “Green” Sunday\, which most probably originates from an ancient holiday celebrating spring. Our forefathers\, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter months\, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving and celebrated by decorating the church and themselves with greenery. The reawakening of nature is symbolic of the Resurrection. Green is the colour of life\, freshness\, and promise. After a barren winter and with the Resurrection we are filled with hope\, life and love. \nGreen Sunday is the perfect time for us to remember and strengthen our obligations as good stewards of the earth and caretakers of the gifts given to us by God.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/sunday-of-the-world-church-green-sunday-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/World-Church-passover.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230424
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230425
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211026T100357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211026T100520Z
UID:20862-1682294400-1682380799@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century. The lives of 1.5 million Armenians were lost\, who were massacred by Ottoman Turkey’s “Young Turk” government beginning in 1915. The deportation and mass extermination of Armenians continued until 1923. \nPlanned and executed during World War I\, the Armenian Genocide saw the virtual elimination of Armenians from their ancestral homeland. Those who were not killed immediately\, were led on horrific death marches\, like the one through the Der Zor desert in Syria. The mass exodus of surviving Armenians from Anatolia resulted in the dispersal of the Armenian people to every corner of the world. Today\, the large Armenian diaspora comprises over 4 million people (roughly equal to the number of Armenians living in the modern Republic of Armenia). \nThe Armenian Genocide began on April 24\, 1915\, when Ottoman authorities arrested and killed some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. Those arrested included Armenian doctors\, lawyers\, parliamentarians\, authors\, and artists. Armenian civilians\, including the elderly\, women and children\, were then forcibly removed from their homes and sent on death marches for hundreds of miles\, with no food or water. \nArmenian communities around the world commemorate each April 24 as “Armenian Martyrs Day\,” which they observe with religious and cultural memorials. \nOn the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide\, the genocide martyrs were canonised during a special service at the Mother See of Holy Etchimiadzin as the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide on April 23\, 2015. This made the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide the first saints canonised in the Armenian Church in hundreds of years. With the canonisation\, the Armenian Church’s newest feast day\, the Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide\, is celebrated on April 24.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/commemoration-of-the-holy-martyrs-of-the-armenian-genocide-2-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Martyrs-genocide.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230501
DTSTAMP:20260505T103117
CREATED:20211023T084326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211023T084418Z
UID:20379-1682812800-1682899199@armenianchurchsydney.org.au
SUMMARY:Red Sunday
DESCRIPTION:  \nAlthough there seems to be no ecclesiastical origin or significance for Red Sunday\, the colour red recalls numerous themes within Christianity and the tradition of the Armenian Church. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that redeems and heals us\, the source of life which spilled into the ground from the Cross to give life and salvation to the entire created order. \nThe colour red also recalls the blood of the Church martyrs: those who follow the pattern of Jesus\, those men and women who demonstrated valiant faith\, unafraid to die for Jesus Christ\, confident in his words and promise to raise to new life for those who know and follow him.
URL:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/event/red-sunday-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://armenianchurchsydney.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Blood-of-martyrs.jpg
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