ՇՈՂ - SHOGH
PALM SUNDAY
SYNAXIS READINGS
SONG OF SONGS 1:1-2:3
ZECHARIAH 9:9-15
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
MATTHEW 20:29-21:17
MORNING SERVICE at 9:30 am
DIVINE LITURGY at 10:30 am
CHILDREN’S PROCESSION AND BLESSING at 12:30 p.m
OPENING OF THE GREAT DOOR at 1:00 p.m
Celebrated by REV. ARCHPRIEST FR. ZAREH ZARGARIAN
Vicar and Parish Priest
Choirmaster Dn. Shahe Altounian
Organist Mrs. Sona Artinian
MATTHEW
20:29-21:17
As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna b to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna d in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ e but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’”
And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
. 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col. 3:15
PALM SUNDAY
This Sunday March 29, is the last Sunday of Great Lent, the Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday, we remember and celebrate Christ’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem, humbly riding on the foal of a donkey. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem with his disciples and followers, people welcomed Him with palms, olive branches and cries of Hosanna (Glory to God!). In commemoration of Lord’s entry to Jerusalem the Church is decorated with palms and olive branches. Later the blessed olive and palm branches are distributed to the faithful.
On Palm Sunday the Armenian Church holds "Opening of the Doors" (Trnpatsek) service, symbolic of our entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which commemorates the events, that happened on the last days of Christ's earthly life. The Holy Week concludes on Easter, when we celebrate the miraculous Recreation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
OPENING OF THE DOORS CEREMONY (Drnbatsek)
On Palm Sunday the faithful gather at church for the Opening of the Doors ceremony. This service is unique to the Armenian Church. It symbolizes the opening of the gates to the Kingdom of God. The Ceremony is performed in a form of a dialogue. The priest kneels in the front of the closed curtain asks for compassionate forgiveness on behalf of the Faithful. The priest behind the curtain (in front of the Altar) presents the conditions to enter the Heavenly Kingdom. The Curtain is opened with the Hymn “Open to us Lord, the gate of Thy mercy”: Open to us the gate of Thy mercy, O Lord, and make us worthy of your dwellings of light together with your saints. The opening of the Curtain symbolizes the opening of gates of Kingdom to repenting mankind through Jesus Christ.
THE HOLY WEEK
The Holy Week is the high point of the Christian Calendar, commemorating the most important events of Our Lord’s earthly life –the teachings of the last seven days, Christ’s passions, His Death and Resurrection.
Each day of Holy Week is called Holy and it is given a new sense and parabolic meaning.
HOLY MONDAY. The gospel readings of the day focus on the 'Parable of The Withered Barren Fig Tree'
HOLY TUESDAY is dedicated to the 'Parable of the Ten Virgins'.
HOLY WEDNESDAY On this day the church commemorates the anointment and betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ.
HOLY THURSDAY (the last supper, institution of the sacrament of Holy Communion, washing of the feet). Late in the evening of HOLY THURSDAY the service of Khavaroom (darkness) or all night vigil takes place, which refers to the sacrament of Holy Friday.
GOOD FRIDAY (The crucifixion and burial of the Lord)
HOLY SATURDAY, joyous celebrations begin in anticipation of the promised triumph of our Lord over death on the third day, Easter Sunday.
List of Donations March 21- 27, 2026
EASTER OFFERING
Mr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian $50
Mr. Dan Fasie $50
Ms Ani Gurunluoglu $75
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Ardemis Moushian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Anais Tozak $100
Mrs. Elizabeth Kevork $100
Mr. Kirkor Ozsogomonyan $100
Ms. Sona Patrikian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Arslan & Anjel Arslan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Harutiun & Seta Sahakian $100
GENERAL
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Takouhi Orfali $300 (Baby Blessing)
Mr. & Mrs. Arno Siraki and Lusine Tonoyan $200
Ms Elisabeth Diradour $110
Mrs. Janet Yeganian $100
Mr. Ruben Galstyan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Satenik Hovsepian $200
Mrs. Gayane Mkrtchyan $100
LOUMA
Mr.& Mrs. Avedis & Ardemis Moushian $100
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE KEVORK TUTUNDJIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor and Sirarpi Tutundjian and Family $100
Mrs. Shake Ampagoumian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Tiran Diran & Christine Tutunjian $80
Mr. Jirayr Tutundjian $100
Mr. Yesai Libarian $50
Mr. Hovhannes Libarian $25
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $50
Mr.& Mrs. Vasken & Alice Deukmedjian $50
Ms Rose Aharonian $100
Mr. Pedros Chinchinian $100
Mr. Kevork Yerevanian $50
Mrs. Sevan Yerevanian $50
THE LATE VARUJAN KARABULUT
Mrs. Vergine Karabulut $500
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bayne and Laura Karabulut $500
Mr. & Mrs. Mark & Talar Karabulut $500
Mrs. Arpi Yardemian $250
Ms Maral Yardemian $300
Mr. & Mrs. Boghos & Zaroug Ishkanian $150
Dr. & Mrs. John and Hourig Charalambopuolos and their children Maral and Sophia $150
Ms. Lena Ishkanian $100
Mrs. Phyllis Bayne $70
Ms. Shirley Murray $300
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop and Anna Orchanian $275
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Annie Derkevorkian $100
Mr. Gordon Galbraith $250
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $100
Ms Taline Baltayan $100
Mrs. Shake Ampagoumian $100
Maria Arenas $100
Mr. Michael Payne $200
Ms. Niloufar Saadati $200
Ms. Meline Sakouyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Vahram & Azniv Salibian $100
Miss Isabel Kalpakian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hambar & Grace Davidian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander & Margot Chami $200
Mr. Sarkis Yardemian $500
Ms Lucy Alahaydoyan and family $50
Hans & Anna Dalen $30
Parly Jakobsen $300
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe & Lena Kerim $100
Mr. Arthur Karabulut $80
Mr. Robert Karabulut $50
Mr. & Mrs. Hovig & Vicky Purzekian $30
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Serly Zeitounilian $20
Mr. & Mrs. Dicran & Vera Davidian $100
Mr. Edward Komedissian $100
Mr. Gerard Kassabian $150
Mr. Michael Kassabian $150
Mr. & Mrs. Takvor & Lucy Hopyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Vicken & Kristine Khounganian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Madat & Tamar Mamourian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Vahan & Hermine Tashjian $25
Mr. & Mrs. Heinz and Sirvart Noyemi Benedikt $100
Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Margarit Ohanessian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Annie Selyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur & Pierina Kesisyan $60
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Meline Meldonian $100
Mr. Mike Kundakci $100
Mr. Zeki Kundakci $100
Mr. Antranik Boyadjian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Nechan & Diana Mandjlekian $100
Mrs. Mayda Hackelberg $100
Mr. Tom Li $100
Mrs. Madlen Aghamanoukian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Arslan & Anjel Arslan $100
Mr. Kevork Minasoglu $100
Mr. Varouj Mavlian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Tili Isnar $50
Mr. Raffi Bedirian $40
Mr. & Mrs. Hovig & Louisa Kazandjian $150
Mr. Haig Artinian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Ari & Kishanta Comert $100
Mr. & Mrs. Karnik & Louis Comert $100
Mr. & Mrs. Noubar & Maria Kokorian $100
Mr. Gary Garabedian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Barete & Marguerite Santourdjian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Vasken & Alice Deukmedjian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Anahid Shanlian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Edouard & Lucy Khounganian $300
Mrs. Anayis-Ani Khudaverdian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Zevart Papazian $75
Mr. Joseph Shnorhokian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Stepan & Hasmig Dolabjian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Clara Kidikian $50
THE
LATE HAGOP ALTOUNIAN
Mrs. Arpiné Altounian $150
Miss Araxie Altounian $150
Mr. & Mrs. Sebouh & Armine Boyajian $100
THE
LATE HAGOP ALTOUNIAN AND BARKEV SHAHNAZARIAN
Ms Hasmig Kurdian $100
THE LATE LOUSIN BALABANIAN TEJIRIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Lucy Garabedian $50
THE LATE SERGEY AVTANDILYAN
Mr. & Mrs. Eduard & Anush A. Avtandilyan $150
THE LATE HOVSEP HAZAROSYAN, MINAS HACATOGLU, SIRVART HAZAROSYAN
Mrs. Talin Hacat $100
Mr. Martin Sonne $200
MEMBERSHIP
Ms Taline Baltayan $100
Mr. Artak Nersisyan $100
Mrs. Maggy Stepanian $100
Mr. Jack Stepanian $100
Mr. Yesai Librarian $100
ALTAR FLOWERS
March22
Mr. & Mrs. Madat & Tamar Mamourian $100
ALTAR FLOWERS
March29
The Siraki Family $100
HOLY TRINITY
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
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