SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS
SYNAXIS READINGS
ISAIAH 33.22-34.1
CORINTHIANS 1 / 1.18-24
MATTHEW 24.27-36
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
CORINTHIANS 1 1.18-24
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to
Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
MATTHEW
24.27-36
For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth c will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it e is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, f but only the Father.
DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS
This year, on Sunday October 26th, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates one of the four feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross the Feast of Discovery of the Holy Cross. Even though, this is the last feast in the Church Calendar dedicated to the Cross, but it was the first one to be established by our church fathers. The feast signifies the discovery of all three of the crosses of Golgotha our Lord's and the other two, on which the criminals were crucified. Following the Ascension of our Lord, he crosses were buried.
In 327 A.C., Empress Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, commissioned an army to find the true cross. After long searches, they found a man named Judas, who knew the place of the burial of three crosses, based on Jewish scriptures. Judas was very reluctant to help. Later he showed the place of our Lord’s buried Cross, which was found with two others in Golgotha Jerusalem, buried in a rubble heap (on Golgotha).
To find out on which of these three crosses our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, the body of a deceased young man was taken from a passing funeral procession and placed before each cross. The man miraculously came to life on the cross of our Savior, which was accepted as the one and True Cross. After Judas witnessed this miracle, he accepted Christianity and became the Bishop Cyril of Jerusalem. After the discovery of the Holy Cross, Helena renovated the Holy Places of Jerusalem and built the Church of Holy Sepluchre, where the Lord’s cross was installed.
According to tradition, the True Cross was overgrown with aromatic basil and that is why the cross in Armenian Church is shaped as a blossoming cross and is called the Tzaghkads Khatch (Ծաղկած
).
The Armenian cross often features leaves, wheat and grapes flaring from its base; which is meant to emphasize its life-giving character.
DID YOU KNOW?...
With three crosses on Golgotha (Cavalry) was also discovered the trilingual sign prepared by the order of Pontus Pilate, that was fastened on the Cross of our Lord. Here is the Bible reference: "It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.* Many of the Jews read this sign, for the
place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” (John 16:19-22)
*In many Christian icons the sign has JNRI written on it. It is the acronym of Latin "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" (Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews).
We depict the sign of the Cross in our churches, on our walls and doors. We make the sign of Cross while praying and picture it in our minds, because it is the symbol of our salvation, our freedom and our Lord's humility. (JohnChrysostom)
'OTYATS KHACH'
The 'Otyats Khach' is located west of the monastery of Khor Virap, Armenia. According to tradition of Armenian church, this is the place, where, during their ministry in Armenia, the first illuminators of our nation St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew met for one night. As a symbol of this event, they erected the sign of the cross on top of the hill (near Artashat ) and also engraved cross signs on the stones. They rested under the sign of cross. Hence the name 'Otyats Khach', meaning 'cross that sheltered'. The next morning, each went their own way: St Taddeus to Ardaz province of Vasbouragan and St. Bartholomew to the provinces Her and Zarevant, later to Aghbag.
To commemorate this historical event, in 2015, on the Feast day of Discovery of Holy Cross, a stone cross sculpture 'Otyats Khach' was placed in the same place, where the Holy Apostles met. The Cross was consecrated by the Dean of Monasteries of Mother See Bishop Artak Tigranyan.
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
30October
St. John Chrysostom is known to Armenian Church and throughout the Christian East for his profound and passionate homilies. St. John Chrysostom was the Archbishop of Constantinople and he is one of the 12 Holy Fathers of the universal church. He was born in Antioch in the year 347. He lost his father at a young age. His mother devoted all her efforts to raising her son in Christian piety. He received his education in Athens and studied under the finest philosophers and rhetoricians.
After his mother passed away in 374, St. John retired to the mountains and lead a monastic life for about 6 years, but was obliged to return to
Antioch to recover his health. St. Meletius, the Bishop of Antioch, ordained him as a deacon in the year 380. The following years were devoted to work on new theological writings. In the year 386 St. John was ordained as a priest by Bishop Flavian of Antioch.
St. Chrysostom had been a deacon for five years and a priest for twelve years. When Nectarius, Bishop of Constantinople, died in 398, St. John was elevated to the See of Constantinople as the new Patriarch. His incredible works and preaching’s brought many people to the Christian faith. He openly disapproved the corrupt lifestyle of the court and therefore was exiled twice. His enemies were not satisfied with the sufferings he had already endured, and they banished him yet further, to Pontus, at the very extremity of Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire). He died on his way in 407. His last words were, “Glory to God for all things!” The holy relics of St. John Chrysostom were solemnly transferred to Constantinople in the year 438. St. John was a splendid preacher, and his inspired words earned him the name “Golden-Mouthed” (“Chrysostom”).
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorats St. John Chrysostom twice a year: First with the Twelve Holy Fathers of universal church and separately in the week following the 7th Sunday of after exaltation of Cross, this year October 30.
The writings of John Chrysostom were among the first documents translated into Armenian after the Bible. Today more manuscripts of Chrysostom's works have come down to us than of any other nonArmenian author.
Requested by
Diana Kupalyan
Vahan Kupalyan
Arman Yaghubian
Ani Yaghubian
In Memory of Their Beloved Mother, Mother-in-law & Grandmother
THE LATE ELVIRA SHISHMANYAN
On the 40th day of her passing
Requested by
Ms. Seta Ovakimoglu and Ms. Agavni Ovakimoglu
Mr. & Mrs. Asadur & Maida Icliates
Mr. & Mrs. John & Arpi Altinian and Family
Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Natasha Fabian
Mr. & Mrs. Karnig & Eleonora Icliates
Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Nyrie Sagsoz
Mr. Alain Sagsoz & Miss. Elizabeth Walsh
In Memory of Their Beloved Brother, Uncle and Great Uncle
THE LATE ARAM HOVAGIMIAN
On the 40th day of his passing and in memory of THE LATE NEKTAR OVAKIMOGLU
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Hovhannes and Nazig Chilingirian and families
Mr. & Mrs. Mardig and Berdjuhi Chilingirian and families
Ms. Arusiag Chilingirian
Mr. & Mrs. Yerchan and Helen Chilingirian and families
Mr. Vrej Chilingirian
In Memory of
Their Beloved Brother and Uncle
THE LATE RAFE CHILINGIRIAN
On the 1st anniversary of his passing
Requested by
Mrs. Verjik Babakhany
Mrs. Carol Parseghian & Mr. Armen Babayan and children, Daniel and Lilian
Ms. Katherine Parseghian
Mrs. Lida Parseghian & Mr. Ludvig Haghverdian
Eric and Eileen Haghvardian and families
In Memory of
Their Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle
THE LATE EDIK PARSEGHIAN
On the 1st anniversary of his passing
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Dikran & Lena Torossian and children Megheti, Ara and Maral Torossian
Mr. Mihran Torossian
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Alice Torossian and Family
In Memory of Their Beloved Father, Grandfather, and Relative
THE
LATE
ARAKEL ARAKELIAN
On the 1st anniversary of his passing
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Maggie Garakyan
In Memory of THE LATE BENON MINASOGLU
On the 1st anniversary of his passing (in Windsor)
As well as
THE LATE MISAK & ANAHID MINASOGLU
THE LATE ARTIN & SHAHANIG GARAKYAN
THE LATE HACIK & ZARUHI MERDINYAN
Requested By
Mrs. Gueran Hovassapian
Mr. Hagop Hovassapian
Mr. & Mrs. Artur & Carole Kilajian and Family
In Memory of
Their Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather
THE LATE NAZARETH HOVASSAPIAN
On the 7th anniversary of his passing
As well as the late
MATEOS & ARSHALOUYS KALDIAN
Requested by
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan
Mr. & Mrs. Serge and Nadya Bogosyan and children Adrian and Mateo
In Memory of Their beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather
THE LATE DR. AVEDIS BOGOSYAN
On the 10th anniversary of his passing
As well as All deceased members of The Bogosyan, Balaban & Keledjyan Families
Requested by Mireille Diradour and Family
In Memory of
THE LATE GREGORY DIRADOUR
Requested by Gohar Mikaelyan and Family In Memory of
THE LATE ARTUR MIKAELYAN
List of Donations October 18- 24, 2025
BAREV GOLF TOURNAMENT 2025
Mr. Ara Selyan - Classic Tile Contractors Limited $2,000
Mr. Ara Selyan - Selyan's Flooring Inc. $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Ohan & Anita Ohanessian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Andre & Seza Nazarian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Irma Evran $1,000
Mr. Abraham Baboujian - KRG Insurance Brokers $1,000
Mr. Raffi Kidikian - Envirotech Mechanical Inc. $1,000
Mrs. Calabrina Boyajian $568
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Joy Bedrosyan $500
Mr. & Mrs. Masis & Aida Afarian $500
Mr. & Mrs. John & Margritt Satouri $500
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe & Lena Kerim $500
Mr. & Mrs. Zohrab & Talin Kazandjian $500
Miss Alis Spanos $500
Anonymous $500
Mr. Christian Stove $500
Mr. Raffi Simonian - CMG Management Inc. $500
Bantoo Khurana $500
Mr. Artin Zohrabian - Slyfox Digital Media Marketing Inc. $500
Mr. Shaunt Sabounji $500
Ms Rita Chemilian $250
Mr. Daron Bedrosyan $250
Dr. Armen & Dr. Talar Parajian $200
Anonymous $100
HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj and Rose Marie Tanielian $10,970
ANNUAL MARKET (Womens' Guild)
Mrs. Seza Nazarian $250
Mrs. Rakel Salibian $200
Mrs. France Kandaharian $100
Mrs. Zaroug Ishkanian $50
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $50
GENERAL DONATION
Ms Christina Nisan $100
ST. SAHAG AND ST. MESROB ARMENIAN SATURDAY SCHOOL
Mr. Vazken Kerametlian $100
LOUMA - Mr. & Mrs. Simon & Salpi Kutyan $100
ALTAR FLOWERS
Mr. Bogos & Rita Taskiran $100 - October 19
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $100 - October 26
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE BENON MINASOGLU
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Makruhi Karak $100
THE LATE GREGORY DIRADOUR
Mr. Alexander-Souren Diradour and Family $300
THE LATE ANGELE VANAYAN
Mr. Andrew Portal & Mrs. Marina Vanayan $100
THE LATE DR. AVEDIS BOGOSYAN
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $150
BELOVED DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS
Mr. Henry Abrahamyan $200
THE LATE YESSAI RUBENYAN
Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Badashan Rubenyan and Family $250
THE LATE SAHAK PAKMALAKI
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Rosa Tarabelsi $150
Mr. & Mrs. Shant & Alits Beremian $50
Ms Sirvart Arikian $20
Mr. Piere Shahbaz $100
Ms. Anahit Hakobian $50
Mr. & Mrs. Hrant & Zvart Ketenjian $100
Ms Nadine Filo $40
Mr. & Mrs. Faez & Voula Papadopoulos $400
Ms Maria Papadopoulos $200
Mr. Hagop Filo $40
Ms Anna Konstantinidis $50
Ms. Eleni P. $50
Helene, Mona & Aymen Subaie $100
Mr. Sarmen Sahakians & Family $400
Mr. Bedros Bedrossian & Family $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.
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