FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
SYNAXIS READINGS
Proverbs 11.30-12.4 Zechariah 2.10-13; 2 Corinthians 6.16-7.1 Luke 1.39-56
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
2 CORINTHIANS 6.16-7.1
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
LUKE 1.39-56
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the
baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
COMMEMORATION OF STS.JOACHIM AND ANNA AND OIL-BEARING WOMEN
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the memory of St. Joachim and Anna together with the Oil-Bearing Women on Tuesday August 25.
According to the tradition, St. Joachim was a descendant of King David, and St. Anna was the daughter of a priest. In Nazareth there lived a rich and pious couple, Joachim and Anne. They were childless. When on a feast day Joachim presented himself to offer sacrifice in the temple, the priest asked him to stand at the end, as he was childless. Upset Joachim left the temple and climbed up the mountains, vowing not to come down until he receives a divine message from God. Having learned the reason of the prolonged absence of her husband, Anna also devoted herself to
prayer. God answered their prayers and the Angel of God brought the message, that God will grant them a child whose name will be known to the world. When the child was born, the joyful parents named their daughter Mary, which means "Illuminated” and decided to devote her to the Church.
The oil-bearing women are the first to give the good tidings of the Resurrection of our Lord. They followed Christ during the time of His earthly mission and crucifixion. The church calls them "Oil-Bearing Women" because on Sunday morning after the crucifixion and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ it was them that went to the tomb to anoint the body of Christ with aromatic witnessed the Risen God and told about it to Apostles. They were in the attic during feast of Pentecost and together with the Apostles received the graces of the Holy Spirit.
. «Ահաիմխօսքերսքուբերանդդրի։ Նայէ՛ , եսայսօրքեզազգերուվրայ
Եւթագաւորութիւններուվրայկայնեցուցի,
Որպէսզիխլեսուփլցնեսեւկորսնցնեսուաւերես, Նաեւշինեսուտնկես»(Երեմ.1:9-10):
աստուածպաշտութիւն
COMMEMORATION OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH
The Holy Prophet Jeremiah, one of the four great Old Testament prophets, was son of the priest Helkiah from the city of Anathoth near Jerusalem. He lived 600 years before Christ, under the Israelite king Josiah and four of his successors. He was called to prophetic service at the age of fifteen, and Lord promised to be always with him and to watch over him. “Behold, I have put My words into your mouth. Behold, I have appointed you this day over nations and kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to rebuild, and to plant” (Jer. 1:9-10).
From that time for twenty-three years Jeremiah prophesied, denouncing his people for abandoning the true God and worshipping idols, predicting sorrows and devastating wars, and the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Temple. For that he was imprisoned. Under the Jewish king Zedekiah his prophecy was fulfilled, when Nebuchadnezzar
invaded and slaughtered many people, carried off a remnant into captivity, and Jerusalem was pillaged and destroyed. Nebuchadnezzar released the prophet from prison and permitted him to live where he wanted. The prophet remained at the ruins of Jerusalem and bewailed his nation’s misfortune. Later he was taken to Egypt by force by Jews. Even in Egypt he continued to rebuke his fellow exiles. According to a tradition, while in Egypt, Jeremiah prophesied that the King of Babylon would invade Egypt and annihilate the Jews living there. For this he was stoned to death by his exasperated fellow countrymen. There is a tradition, that 250 years later, Alexander the Great transported the relics of Prophet Jeremiah to Alexandria. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote his Book of Prophecies and also the Book of Lamentations about the desolation of Jerusalem and the Exile.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. THOMAS
On Saturday August 29 the Armenian church commemorates St. Thomas the Apostle. St. Thomas was one of 12 Apostles and was skeptical at first when other Apostles told him that Jesus had risen from the dead
and appeared to the them. Thomas said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” But later, when Jesus appeared and told Thomas to touch his wounds and behold him, Thomas showed his belief by saying, “My Lord and my God”. Jesus then said, “Thomas, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” In this passage we see that not only did St. Thomas believed that Christ had resurrected and appeared to them, but he also proclaimed Christ’s divinity. (John 20:24-29)
St. Thomas is said to have traveled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He went as far as India, where he was martyred on a hill which is now called “Mount of St. Thomas” near Madras.
Requested by Mrs. Tamar Daoud and Family
In Memory of Her Beloved Father
THE LATE ANTRANIK DAOUD
(PassedawayonAugust12,2025inBelgium)
Requested by Mrs. Ovsanna Tavitian
Arshalouise and Yeghia Nersessian
Mary and Razmig Sagharian and sons, Ara and Haig
Ani and Stephan Shatara and daughters, Yeva and Elize
In Memory of THE LATE SIMON TAVITIAN
On the 40th day of his passing as well as
THE LATE MARIAM & LEVON TAVITIAN
THE LATE EDWARD TAVITIAN
THE LATE VAHAN & MARY TAVITIAN
THE LATE LEVON-VAHAN TAVITIAN
THE LATE ARAX TAVITIAN
Requested by
Mrs. Sona Artinian and Family
Mrs. Seta Saatjian & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Zaven & Lizette Saatjian and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Simon & Maral Haserjian and Family
In Memory of THE LATE ZABEL KHANDZOGHIAN
On the 1st anniversary of her passing As well as
THE LATE KARNIG KHANDZOGHIAN
THE
LATE NERSES KHANDZOGHIAN
Requested by
Mrs. Anahit Khachatryan and sons, Edgar and Armen Melkonyan
Mrs. Gohar Khachatryan
In Memory of Their Beloved Brother and Uncle
THE LATE DAVIT KHACHATRYAN
On the 1st anniversary of his passing
Requested by
Mrs. Sona Artinian and Family
In Memory of
THE LATE
KEVORK ARTINIAN
on the 8th anniversary of his passing As well as
THE LATE KRIKOR & MARY ARTINIAN
THE LATE YERVANT ARTINIAN
THE LATE SOUREN ARTINIAN
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Zareh and Seta Mahseredjian and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Chahe and Darina Dekirmendjian and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Susan Dekirmendjian and Family
In Memory of
THE LATE ANAHID DEKIRMENDJIAN
On the 6th anniversary of her passing
THE LATE HOVANNES DEKIRMENDJIAN
On the 11th anniversary of his passing
Requested by
Mrs. Seta Saatjian
In Memory of
THE
LATE
LEVON SAATJIAN
On the 8th anniversary of his passing
THE LATE JAN SAATJIAN
All Deceased Members of the Saatjian Family
Requested by
Mrs Aida Gumushdjian
Mrs Taline Gumushdjian Deacon Darius Gumushdjian
Ms Lara Gumushdjian
Mr & Mrs Ari and Melanie Kurk
Ms Melina Kurk
Mr Alex Kurk
IN MEMORY OF
Their Beloved Son, Husband, Father, Brother and Uncle
THE LATE MARIO GUMUSHDJIAN
On the 20th anniversary of his passing and in memory of
Their Beloved Husband, Father, Father-in-law, and Grandfather
THE LATE BERDJ GUMUSHDJIAN
On the 10th anniversary of his passing
List of Donations – From August 16 -21, 2025
MEMBERSHIP
Mrs. Aida Bardekjian $80
Dr. Berj Bardekjian $80
Mr. Mari Carkci $80
Mr. Rodolf Carkci $80
THEFEASTOFASSUMPTIONOFTHEHOLYMOTHER& GRAPEBLESSING
LTAS Technologies Inc. $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Samvel & Susanna Harutyunyan $50
Ms. Josephine Kharman $30
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Anahit Shamilian $20
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Araxi Takvorian $20
Mrs. Siran Hambarsom $100
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Sossy Barounian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Arusyak Atamer $150
Mrs. Gayane Mkrtchyan $200
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Judy Derohanesian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom & Vivian Mirzoyan $300
Miss Alis Spanos $300
Mrs. Anaheed Hagopian $50
Mrs. Mariam Zeynalvand $50
CELEBRATINGTHEJOYFULOCCASIONOFTHEIR GRANDDAUGHTER'SBIRTH
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Sella Kaltakjian $100
GENERALDONATION
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Juliette Gizirian $300
Mrs. Jayran Martin $100
Mr. Igor Adelkhanov$25
Mr. Kirkor Ozsogomonyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Taniel & Alice Kalaydjian $70 (Women's Guild)
LOUMA
Ms Ardemis Bedikian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom Mirzoyan $50
SENIORS' DAY
Mr. & Mrs. Henry & Seta- Bedros & Tenny Nigoghossian $150
INMEMORYOF
THE LATE SONIA KOKORIAN
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $100
Ms Rose Aharonian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Boghos & Zaroug Ishkanian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Rose Marie Tanielian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Makruhi Karak $100
Mr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Anais Tozak $100
Mrs. Rita Musluyan $100
Mrs. Arpine Kurdian $100
Mrs. Arpine Altounian $100Dr. & Mrs. Raffy & Sonya Chouljian $250
ContinuationwillbepublishedonthenextissueofShoghENewsletter
THE LATE SARKIS TCHILINGUIRIAN
Ms. Sandy Tchilinguirian $270
Mr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian $50
Mr. Arin Aharonian $100
Mrs. Yercanik Kuyumcuyan $20
Mr. Dikran Cicek $50
Mr. & Mrs. Takvor & Lucy Hopyan $100
Mrs. Sonia Artinian $40
Mr. & Mrs. Henry & Seta- Bedros & Tenny Nigoghossian $50
Mr. Vahe Jelilian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Makruhi Karak $50
Mr. Vartan Istanboolian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Anais Tozak $100
Dr. & Mrs. Berj & Aida Bardekjian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Yeranouhi Kelledjian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Boghos & Zaroug Ishkanian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Jirayr & Houry Aznavourian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Vasken & Alice Deukmedjian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Madat & Tamar Mamourian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltaya $100
Ms Taline Baltayan $100
THE LATE YEGHISABETH AVAKIAN
Mrs. Nevart Mardirossian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Silva Karakashian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Hrair & Ani Tuysusian $30
Mr. Hagop Ansarlian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Shoghig Jamgochian $100
Mr. Armen Kidikian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Manuk & Terfandig Baghdassarian $50
Ms. Maral Baghdassarian $50
Mr. Abraham Boyadjian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Vergine Mardirossian $50
Mr. Krikor Akelian $50
Ms. Maral Kazarian $100
Ms Maral Kadikian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Silva Mardirossian $100
Mrs. Araxy Kedikian $50
Mrs. Tina Kedikian $50
Mrs. Asdghig Afarian $100
Kanayasamy Raviandran $150
Mr. Hakob Mardirossian and Mr. Haroutioun Mardirossian $300
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Ann Mardian $100
THE LATE ALIS LUSIKYAN
Mr. & Mrs. Hacik & Ani Semerciyan $200
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Harutyun & Alis Akcasu $200
Mr. & Mrs. Saro & Maral Siroan $200
Mr. & Mrs. Gordon & Arlin Crawford $100
Mrs. Agavni Arslanyan $50
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Juliette Janbazian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Jirayr & Jeanette Yegen $100
Mr. & Mrs. Yervant & Anosh Epremyan $50
Mr. Stephen Kazancioglu $50
THE LATE KEVORK ARTINIAN & ZABEL KHANDZOGHIAN
Mrs. Sonia Artinian $200
THE LATE MARIO GUMUSHDJIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis and Irma Evran $500 (ToMarioGumushdjianLibrary)
Since
Contact
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