FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SYNAXIS READINGS Isaiah 36:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Luke 12:13-31
MORNING SERVICE at 9:30 am
DIVINE LITURGY at 10:30 am
Celebrated by
REV. FR. HAYARI TANASHIAN
Pastor’s Assistant
Choirmaster: Dn. Shahe Altounian
Organist: Mrs. Sona Artinian
1ST THESSALONIANS 1:1-10
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
LUKE 12:13-31
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life ? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
FEASTS OF THE WEEK
COMMEMORATION
OF SAINTS THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW
This Saturday, November 29, the Armenian Church commemorates two of the twelve apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew. They were the first illuminators of Armenia, who came to preach the Christianity in our land and therefore the Armenian Church was named Apostolic. Unfortunately, both of them were martyred in Armenia.
St. Thaddeus came to Armenia in about 43 AD and many people converted to Christianity because of his preaching. Amongst the new
Christians was princess Sandoukht. Despite her father’s requests to turn back to the pagan religion, Sandoukht stayed loyal her Christian faith. King Sanadruk ordered to kill her and St. Thaddeus.
The tomb of St. Thaddeus lies in the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus (nowadays Iran) where a chapel was built in the third century. Since 1954, in the month of July annual 3 day long pilgrimages are organized to the Monastery of St. Thaddeus. In Armenian Icons St. Thaddeus is portrayed with the Holy Spear in his hand.
St. Bartholomew is believed to have arrived to Armenia in about 66 AD. Bartholomew followed Thaddeus' mission to Armenia around the time of Sandoukht's imprisonment and martyrdom. He converted King Sanatruk's sister Voghuhi. The king in anger ordered the execution of both his sister and Bartholomew. St. Bartholomew’s Tomb and Monastery are near present day Baskale in the Van Province of southeastern Turkey. It was an important pilgrimage site prior to the Armenian Genocide. Today, only the ruins of the monastery remain.
In Armenian icons St. Bartholomew is portrayed with the board, that has the image of Holy Mother of God on it, in his Hand. The board was given to him by apostles for consolation, following the Assumption of St. Mary.
THE HOLY SPEAR
The Holy Spear (Geghard) is one of most treasured Holy relics of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This is the Spear that the Roman soldier used to pierce the side of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. According to church tradition, the Spear was brought to Armenia in the first century by one of the 12 disciples of Christ Thaddeus. For centuries, this universal Holy relic was kept in various monasteries of Armenia and from 13th century it was moved to the Ayrivank monastery, which later was named Geghardawank (the monastery of Spear). In mid-18th century the Spear was brought to the Holy See of Etcmiadzin and is kept there till this day.
Requested by
Mrs. Laura Pakmalaki
Mr. & Mrs. Ara and Nazik Bedrossian and children, Christopher and Emma Bedrossian
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Waddell and Suzy Pakmalaki
Mr. & Mrs. Tony and Lena Pietrantuono and children, Victoria and Matteo Pietrantuono
Mr. & Mrs. Hrant & Zvart Ketenjian & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Vahak & Alice Balian & Family
Anahid & Vanush Hagopian & Family Pakbegi Family
Mr. & Mrs. George and Maria Papadopoulos and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Kathleen Papadopoulos and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Fayez and Voula Papadopoulos and Family
In Memory of Their Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather
THE LATE SAHAK PAKMALAKI
On the 40th day of his passing
Requested by
Mr. Noubar Soghomon and Family
Mr. Hrant Soghomon and Family
In Memory of
THE LATE MARYAM SOGHOMON HOVNAN
On the 40th day of her passing in Germany
Requested by
Mrs. Sima Kerestecioglu
Ardem & Pierre Caruana and Family
Alber & Carmellla Kerestecioglu
In Memory of Their Beloved Husband & Father
THE LATE KEGHAM KERESTECIOGLU
On the 2nd anniversary of his passing
The LATE HARUTUNE KERESTECIOGLU
On the 19th anniversary of his passing
As well as all deceased members of Kerestecioglu, Tasciyan, Tascioglu, Yosticoglu, Arzumanian and Benlyan, and Kabasakal Families
Requested by
Mrs. Filor Boyaci
Mr. Aret Boyaci
Dn. Ari Boyaci
In Memory of Their beloved Husband & Father
THE LATE HACIK BOYACI
On the 5th Anniversary of his passing
As well as all deceased members of Boyaci & Hacinligil families
List of Donations November 15-21, 2025
HTAC 97TH ANNIVERSARY
Mr. & Mrs. Ohan & Anita Ohanessian $5,000
Mr. & Mrs. Andre & Seza Nazarian $1,000
Dr. Isabelle, Knar & Silva Basmadjian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Silva Mermer $1,000
Mr. & Dr. Alis Belgen $1,000
Ms Rose Aharonian $500
Ms. Hasmig Kurdian $500
Mrs. Frances Kandaharian $500
Mrs. Hera Kavukyan $500
GENERAL
Mr. Berge-John Arzuman $ 250
Dr. Nana Sogomonian $150
Mrs. Viki Kesian $100
LOUMA
Mr. & Mrs. Masis & Aida Afarian $100
Ms Arine Kemkemian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Hayk & Tamar Nar $50
MEMBERSHIP
Mrs. Nelly Khojajian $80
ALTAR FLOWERS
Mrs. Sima Kerestecioglu $100
HUMANITARIAN FUND (ARMENIAN WOUNDED SOLDIERS)
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Silva Mermer $200
Mr. John Yeghouchian $200
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE HRANTUHI CAGLIUZUN
Mr. & Mrs. Kirkor & Sevan Cagliuzun $250
Mr. & Mrs. Hirac & sevnur Cagliuzun $250
Mr. & Mrs. Sogomon & Areknaz Sakarya $250
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Irma Evran $200
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Silva Mermer $100
Ms Mina Namatalla $50
Ms Natalie Salman $50
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Lisa Artinian $50
Ms. Aida Wakileh $50
Mr. & Mrs. Garbis & Hermine Sabounjian-Ustel $50
Mr. & Mrs. Toni & Silva Dekirmendjian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Caner & Ani Sari $100
THE LATE OHANNES BELGEN
Mr. & Mrs. Civan & Ceni Babaoglu $100
Mr. & Mrs. Arto and Ariana Tozcu $100
THE LATE KARINE ATAYAN
Mr. Arthur Bodourian $100
THE
LATE
SUSANNA KALACHIAN
Ms Anna Savchenko $100
THE LATE PIERRE MAZLOUMIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Hayk & Tamar Nar $100
Ms Nora Mazloumian $100
THE LATE NAZELI MUSLIYAN
Mr. Sasun Musliyan $100
THE LATE NORAYR KOCABIYIKYAN
Mrs. Nadia Kestane $100
THE LATE ROUBEN HARUTYUNYAN
Mrs. Hrachia Harutunian $100
THE LATE SUSANNA KALACHIAN
Mrs. Ann Marie Rosenitsch $100
THE LATE KEGAM KERESTECIOGLU
Mrs. Sima Kerestecioglu $200
APPRECIATION
We thank all our donors for supporting Holy Trinity Armenian Church through their heartfelt donations. If you prefer to stay anonymous, please contact the Church office and inform the administration.
Tel:
Vicar of Armenian Church Canadian Diocese and Parish Priest Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian
Pastor’s Assistant Rev. Fr. Hayari Tanashian
Church Office Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Executive Secretary, Ani Sarvarian Ani@TorontoArmenianChurch.com
Administrative Secretary, Betty Panossian Betty@TorontoArmenianChurch.com
920 Progress Ave. Toronto, ON, M1G 3T5 Tel: 416 431 3001 www.TorontoArmenianChurch.com info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com @TorontoArmenianChurch.com