THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
EVE OF THE FAST OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
SYNAXIS READINGS
ISAIAH 1:2-15
ROM. 6:12-23
MATTHEW. 12:1-8
Morning Service at 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am
Celebrated by:
HIS GRACE BISHOP ABGAR HOVAKIMIAN
Primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese
Choirmaster: Dn. Shahe Altounian
Organist: Mrs. Sona Artinian
ROMANS 6:12-23
Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that
time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in b Christ Jesus our Lord.
MATTHEW. 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
(John4:13-14)
EVE OF THE FAST OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
This Sunday, June 14, is the Eve of The Fast of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This fast starts from Monday to Friday (June 30- July 4) and is dedicated to the Feast of Discovery of the Relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator (this year June 20). During this fast feast days are permitted. The relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator are one of the most significant relics of all Christian churches.
FEAST OF DISCOVERY OF THE RELICS OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
On June 20th, the Armenian Church commemorates one of the three feast days dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator: the discovery of his relics. His principle feast by all Christians is celebrated on September 30th.
St. Gregory is considered to be the “Apostle of Armenia.” After years of evangelizing, St. Gregory sought solitude and an ascetic life. He chose a cave on Mount Sebouh as his dwelling place. It was here that Gregory died alone around 328 AD, some say after seven years of solitude. Shepherds found his body and without realizing who he was buried him under a pile of stones. Later a hermit, Garnik of Basen, who had been a disciple of St. Gregory, saw a vision and went to Mount Sebouh where he found the site of Gregory’s burial. He took the remains to the village of Thortan for burial, where King Drtad was buried. The discovery by Garnik is placed in the reign of Emperor Zeno (474-491), though this is contested by some scholars.
The relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator are one of our most revered within the Armenian Church, as well as all Christian Churches.
Following their discovery, some were taken to various places for safekeeping, among them Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Byzantium, and Italy. The Right Hand of the Saint, preserved in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, is one of the most important sanctities of the Armenian Church, and is used by the Catholicos of All Armenians during the blessing of the Holy Chrism (Muron). To commemorate the day, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in our Churches.
List of Donations – June 6 to 11, 2026
GENERAL DONATIONS
Fr. Zareh & Mrs. Naira Zargarian $350
Anonymous Donor $20
Mr. Tigran Grigoryan $100
Anonymous Donor $25
Mr. Zadig Mirzoyan $100
Mrs. Agavni Arslanyan $25
LOUMA
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Lucy Garabedian $50
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Mr. Vahe Kerim $50
IN MEMORY OF
THE LATE BERDJ TANIELIAN
Arch-Deacon Krikor and Mrs. Anais Tozak $100
Mr. & Mrs. Ara and Annie Derkevorkian $100
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $100
JAYRAN NAZEL GHARIBI
Mr. & Mrs. Shahen and Roobina Hartooni $300
THE LATE YERVANT CHOULJIAN
Anonymous Donor $100
THE LATE MARIAM SHUKRI SOROYAN
Mr. Vresh Acoub Danial $300
THE LATE EMANUELE SERGIO AHARONIAN
Mrs. Nvart Aharonian $100
THE LATE SARKIS AND ROZA DOKMECIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop and Dalita Dokmecian $100
THE LATE NORAYR TASCIOGLU
Mrs. Yepraksi Tascioglu $60
Mrs. Suzanne Tascioglu $100
THE LATE BERC AKSAY
Mr. & Mrs. Mike and Taline Afarian $100
Mr. Masis and Ayda Afarian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop and Daleeta Dokmecian $100
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.
Donations may be made: Over the phone: 416 431 3001
E-transfer via: info@TorontoArmenianChurch.com
Cheques payable to: HTAC
Progress Avenue,
• Մարզասրահ
Hall) Այս նախաձեռնութիւնը
Dear Friends,
With faith, hope, and a shared vision for the future, we warmly invite you to attend an important community information meeting regarding a historic and exciting project for the Armenian community, taking place on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church sanctuary (920 Progress Avenue, Toronto).
During this meeting, we will present the proposed new communitycentered project, which aims to serve generations to come through the construction of a multi-purpose complex featuring:
• Seniors’ Independent Living Residence
• Residential Development
• Community Barev Centre
• Banquet Hall
• Daycare
• Gymnasium
This initiative is more than a construction project; it is an investment in the care and well-being of our seniors, children, youth, and families, as well as in the future of our community. The proposed complex will create a welcoming environment that brings our community together and strengthens our faith, culture, identity, and community life.
Your presence and genuine support are deeply appreciated as we move forward together.
We invite you to join us to learn more about the vision, plans, and possibilities for this transformative undertaking. Please feel free to encourage family members, friends, and all those who care deeply about the future of our community to attend.
With respect and anticipation, Holy Trinity Armenian Church Pastor, Parish Council, and Barev Centre Board
The Annual Seniors’ Celebration Day is one of the most cherished events at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, lovingly organized by the dedicated volunteers of the Visitation Committee. Our beloved seniors are warmly invited to participate in a special Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am and receive Holy Communion. Following the service, they will enjoy a delicious homemade meal, thoughtfully prepared by our wonderful volunteers. The celebration continues with music, singing, and plenty of joyful dancing! Please contact us to register your name or the name of a loved one: 416-431-3001 htacvisit@gmail.com
We want to hear from YOU.
Barev Centre exists because of our community, and your voice helps shape everything we do.
What programs do you want to see? What matters most to you and your family? How can we build a stronger Barev Centre?
Take our short Community Survey and help us design a future that reflects you. It only takes a few minutes, and every response truly matters.
Link to the survey: https://www.barevcentre.com/news/communitysurvey
JoinusthissummerforourbiweeklyhikeseveryotherMondayat 7:30PM,startingJune22,2026!
Whetheryou'relookingtostayactive,meetnewpeople,or simplyenjoytheoutdoors,ourhikesareagreatwaytospend yourMondayevenings.
Whattoexpect:
•Anewtraileveryhike •Greatcompanyandfreshair
•Trailssuitableforallexperiencelevels •Afunandwelcoming community
Traillocationswillbeannouncedclosertoeachhikedate. Drop-insarewelcome,bringafriendandjoinusonthetrail! Seeyououtdoors!
27,2026 8:00PM 920ProgressAve
Ticketpriceisall-inclusive Ticketsarenon-refundable RSVPbye-transferto:info@barevcentre.com RSVPDeadline:June24,2026
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Vicar of Armenian Church Canadian Diocese and Parish Priest
Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian
Pastor’s Assistant Deacon Sarven Bicakci
Church Office Hours: Monday to Saturday - 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