THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (EVE OF THE FAST OF ST. HAGOP)
SYNAXIS READINGS ISAIAH 37.14-38
2 THESSALONIANS 1։1-12 LUKE 14։12-24
MORNING SERVICE at 9:30 am
DIVINE LITURGY at 10:30 am
Celebrated by:
HIS GRACE BISHOP ABGAR HOVAKIMIAN
The Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada
Choirmaster: Dn. Shahe Altounian
Organist: Mrs. Sona Artinian
2 THESSALONIANS 1։1-12
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus
may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
LUKE 14։12-24
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
EVE OF THE FAST OF ST. JAMES
This Sunday, December 7, is the Eve of the Fast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis. This five-day fast starts on Monday till Friday. During Fast of St. James, the faithful give up food of animal origin and consume only vegetarian food.
Just like St. Sarkis's fast, during the Fast of St. James some faithful follow a much stricter fast and abstain from all kinds of food for 1 or 3 days (Dzom). According the folk traditions, for the fasting engaged girls their future in-laws would send gifts and a special sweet called 'St. Hagop's Helva'.
Let us not forget, that fasting is not just the rejection of animal food, but it is also a time to to cleanse our minds and hearts from fallacies; time to repent, pray and lead a virtuous life.
թոհայութեան ազգային-
եկեղեցական
, իր երիտասարդական մի-
ութիւններով, շաբաթօր-
եայ եւ կիրակնօրեայ վար-
ժարաններով, եւ այլն։
1970-ական թուականնե-
րու վերջին, երբ հայու-
թիւնն արդէն Թորոնթոյի
լուրջ թիւ մը կը ներ
97th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
A BRIEF HISTORY
As early as 1928, a handful of Armenians held a few yearly Divine Liturgies at the St. Stephan’s Anglican Church. During the years extending between 1930 and 1953, Divine Liturgies were offered at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Then, with the efforts of the 200 or so Armenians in Toronto, a new church was erected on Woodlawn Avenue at Yonge Street. The church was named Holy Trinity Armenian Church, in honour of Anglican Church parish that hosted the Armenians for so many years. It was consecrated on December 6, 1953, by the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of America, His Eminence Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan.
Holy Trinity parish was blessed by the inaugural visit of His Holiness, Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, of Blessed Memory, in 1960. Shortly after, the parish joyfully received its first permanent pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Jirayr Tashjian in 1961.
In 1963, with the addition of a parish hall in the lower level, the Armenians in Toronto had a spiritual and cultural centre complete with Ladies’ Auxiliary, youth organizations, and Saturday and Sunday schools. By the late 1970s, as the number of Armenians in Toronto increased significantly, it was deemed appropriate and necessary to build a new church, carrying the same name, in Scarborough, to satisfy the spiritual and national needs of the growing community.
Ground was broken on August 28, 1986 by His Eminence Shnork Kaloustian, Patriarch of Constantinople and His Eminence Arch. Bishop Vazken Keshishian for the new Holy Trinity site in Scarborough 1986, and the structure was completed by November 1987, thanks to the efforts of the then-Pastor, now, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and the participation of the Armenian community of Toronto. The consecration of the new church took place on November 15, 1987, by His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians. The architectural theme of Holy Trinity Armenian Church symbolizes unity, while the style itself is a merging of the old and the new. The architect, Mr. Takvor Hopyan, created a unique structure influenced by the style of St. Hripsime cathedral in Etchmiadzin. As mementos of the old building of Holy Trinity on Woodlawn, the altar and stained-glass windows of the old church gracefully reside in the new church. Since 1996, the parish has been blessed to have Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, as their spiritual leader, the vital and caring pastor.
ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBIS
This Saturday, December 13, is the Feast of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis (Mdzbin). St. Hagop was born and died in the city of Nisibis (Nusbyien) located in what is now days southeastern Turkey. He was the second bishop of Nisibis and was called the "MosesofMesopotamia" for his wisdom and wonderworking abilities. Some sources say he was the cousin of St. Gregory the Illuminator. St. James was from the Parthian dynasty and the nephew of St. Gregory the Enlightener. When the family members of Anak the Parthian were killed, nurses secretly fled to Caesarea, taking with them the infant James. In Caesarea, they were educated in the Christian faith. Later he returned to Nisibis. He was the student of Hermit St. Marouge and the spiritual father of the renowned Christian theologian St. Ephrem the Assyrian, one of the 12 Holy Fathers of Universal church.
St. Hagop of Mdzbin (St. James) is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church. He is honoured in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, Catholic churches, and especially in Syriac and Armenian Orthodox Churches. According to St. Ephrem, St. Hagop founded the basilica and theological School of Nisibis.
In 320 he was ordained as the Bishop of Nibisis by Bishop Melitus. and in 325 participated in the first ecumenical council in Nicaea where he earned great respect from the Emperor Constantine and the other church fathers. On several occasions, with his prayers St. Hagop saved Nisbis from Persian invasions.
St. Hagop died peacefully at an old age in 338 A.D, or according to other sources in 350 A. D. His relics were taken to Constantinople in 970 A.D. and became the subject of great honour.
In the Armenian religious literature his name is known by the book entitled "The Wise", which has been translated from Assyrian in the 5th century. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Feast of St. Hagopof Nisibis is celebrated on the Saturday between December12-18 together with Hermit Marougue and Bishop Melitos. This day is marked by special celebrations in all Armenian churches baring the name of St. Hagop.
Հաւատացեալները
DID YOU KNOW?
- On the Feast day of St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis, by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians the relic of St. Jacob is taken to a church bearing his name.
The faithful will have the opportunity to receive blessing of the relic and pray for St. James's intercession, as he is considered as a patron saint of protecting from diseases and temptations.
On this occasion, a special Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the St. James Church of Ararat. Following the Divine Liturgy there will be a blessing ceremony for everyone named Hagop and those with Hagopian last names.
- St. James was determined to find Noah's Ark as a proof for skeptics. He started his ascent to the peak of Mount Ararat, but it proved to be very difficult to reach to the top. But St. James did not give up. For his determination God had sent an angel in his dream, who left him a piece of the Noah's Ark. According to tradition, in the place where St. James had lain down and received the relic of Noah's Ark a cold stream appeared with healing and miraculous qualities. Later a church bearing the Saint’s name was built nearby the stream (St. Hagop church of Akor). This relic from Noah's Ark was of an imputrescible wood, that is now kept at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.
In Memory of THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN 1988
In Memory of
PREVIOUS PARISH PASTORS
His Em. Arch. Vazken Keshishian
Very Rev. Fr. Vasken Tatoian
Rev. Fr. Housig Nishanian
Rev. Fr. Khoren Mamigonian
Rev. Fr. Zkon Charghougian
Rev. Fr. Sarkis Gulian
GODFATHERS AND DONORS
Levon and Perouz Babayan
Alec and Mari Manougian
Magaros Artinian
Maral Ishkhanian
Setrag Adourian
Siroun and Hrant Hamamjian
Antranik and Frieda Knadjian
Mardig & Margaret Papazian
David and Robert Soultanian
Haroutyun and Hasmik Afarian
Kamer, Shakeh and Shant Basmajian
Gerard Jirayr Pederian
Bedros and Rosa Artinian
Souren Adjemian
Seda Pederian
David Asher
Armenak Abrahamian
Krikor and Takouhi Bozoyan
Mamas and Hayganoush Davidian
Takouhi Mnakian
Helen Ounjian
Hagop and Sona Habibian
Nehmat Kiledjian
Joseph and Shake Tchaghlassian
The deceased members of the Tanielian and Zada Families
Garaded and Haygouhi Kerdeian
Veron Kerdian
Edward George Makinissian
Beatrice and Marieta Ambarian
Veron Kestekian
Kevork Kandaharian
Arshalouys Kandaharian
Ohannes Kouyoumdjian
Stepan Nalbandian
Krikor and Varsynig Nalbandian
Mourat Nalbandian
Rebecca Sevazlian
Haig Manougian
Hagop Kestekian
Dr. Manuel and Takouhi Sakarya
Sarkis Melkonian
Abgar and Araxi Ohanessian
Krikor Donikian
Edward Kasparian
Gregory Kasparian
Krikor and Kohar Kasparian
Manoug and Mari Ampagoumian
Zvart Boyajian
Gregory Diradour
Mario Gumushdjian
Dikran and Armine Isnar
Vahe Isnar
Alber Kasparian
Karnig Kassabian
Vahe Minnetian
Vahe Ohanessian
Juliete Papazian
Hrant Yardemian
Zakar and Mari Tchlingirian
Siranoush Tchilingirian
Antranig Tchelanguerian
Noyemi Bedikian Tchilingirian
Albert & Hellen Kassabian
Minas Edmon Wartan
Amira Ohanessian Minas
Marousia Airapetova
Mari Behesnilian
Maria Migirdichian
Haig and Vasilik Djerahian
Hovhannes Onnig Hagopian
Vehamayr Ovsanna and Hagop & Zohrab Sarkissian
Shavarsh & Hasmigue Aharonian
Vahan Kherbekian
Avedis and Rebecca Ketenjian
Turfanda Ketenjian
Arshalouys and Aram Tokmak
Ohannes Tokmak
Tamara, Artoush and Elena Aratounians
Nasri and Selma Almasian
Cardine Agemian
Anna & Yesai Paraghamian
Sarkis and Nouriza Karakulak
Gulbenk Mermer
Zaynig Martin
Takouhi Keshishian
Antranik and Nektar Satouri
Moghik, Agapi and Samvel Vardanian
Aghavni Yaglioglu
Antranig and Haroutyun Yaglioglu
Hovagim and Arshalouys Moushian
Loris Moushian, Krikor & Bedros Moushian
Rupen Vartanoush Garabedian
Moushian, Garabedian & Turemishian families
Sirun Arzumanian
Akribas & Mary, Ohannes Kaptanian
Garo Kokorian
Zaren Alexanian
Nazar & Lousik Korkorian
Varoujan & Hasmik Petros Samuelian
Azniv Yardemian
Kaspar Yardemian
Hrant Yardemian
Mayranoush Vartanian
Hagop and Arshalos Tossounian
Aram & Lida Alexanian
Armenak Alajajian
Nazluhi Vartanian
Nazig Erol Torossian
Julietta Makarian
Haik Babaoglu
Anahid Cicek
Anouch & Haroutiun Sargsian
Frieda Kalaidjian
PREVIOUS PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Kevork Semerdjaian
Hagop Souin
Hagop Shishmanian
Mampre Shirinian
Dikran Ounjian
Vahe Ounjian
Arto Arzouian
Diran Papazian
Dikran Shishmanian
Hagop Tossounian
Garo Deirmenjian
Onnig Dzalian
Arto Gulyan
Victor Cathcig
Khatchi Khorasan
Ardashes Sarian
Ghevond Khosrovian
Edward Eudemishlian
Antranig Tahmizian
Garo Khabaian
Garo Martin
Bedros Tchilingirian
Krikor Elmasian
Hayrabed Nerinians
Hagop Yeretsian
Antranig Datlain
Edmond Artin
Edward Dovlatian
Mary Poladian
Boghos Kellejian
Adroushan Mushluyan
Hrant Suin
Arto Okutan
Takvor Boduryan
Harry Artinian
Norayr Kassabian
Dr. Ara Keresteci
Dikan Berberian
Dr. Avedis Bogosyan
Gerard Papazian
Harutyun Orchanian
Noubar Tossounian
Dorkom Zabounian
Kevork Artinian
Garo Kavukyan
Stepan Semerdjian
Gerard Jirayr Pederian
Barkev Khojajian
Ara Boyajian
Haig Misakian
Harutyun Artin Yesayan
Mardik Hekimian
Haig Leon Selian
Emanuele Sergio Aharonian
Deacon Berc Luleciyan
Haroutyuoun Ampagoumian
Deacon Arthur Minas Selyan
Levon Yazejian
Stephan Sarkis Tchilinguirian
Sonia Kokorian
Requested by
Dn. & Mrs. Roy & Karin Kucukates
In Memory of THE LATE MARI INCEYAN
On the 40th day of her passing (in Istanbul)
THE LATE HERMAN INCEYAN
On the 13th anniversary of his passing
Requested by Ms. Rose Aharonian
In Memory of THE LATE SHUSHAN KHERBEGUIAN
on the 43rd anniversary of her passing
Requested by
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis and Ardemis Moushian and family
In Memory of Her Beloved Parents, THE LATE RUPEN AND VARTANOUSH GARABEDIAN
As well as all deceased members of the Garabedian and Teoremishian Families
Requested by
Mrs. Liza Mesrop
Mrs. Lena Yacoubian
Mrs. Linda Celan
In Memory of THE LATE AREKNAZ NALBANDIAN
THE LATE STEPHAN NALBANDIAN
List of Donations November 29-December 5, 2025
CHURCH 97TH ANNIVERSARY
Mr. & Mrs. Ohan & Anita Ohanessian $5,000
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Grace Tchaglassian $3,000
Mr. & Mrs. John & Margritt Satouri $2,500
Anonymous Donor $2,500
Mr. & Mrs. Shahe & Maria Altounian $2,500
Mrs. Rosette Kilajian $1,500
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe & Anna Hakobyan $1,250
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Joy Bedrosyan $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Rose Marie Tanielian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Maggy Stepanian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Andre & Seza Nazarian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Sogomon and Areknaz Sakarya $1000
KRG Insurance Group Ltd. $1,000
Mr. Yesai Libarian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Narine Zakharyan $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Zadeeg & Nvart Mirzoyan $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Khachig & Zvart Mirzoyan $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Rostom & Vivian Mirzoyan $1,000
Dr. Isabelle, Knar & Silva Basmadjian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Tili Isnar $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Yeranouhi Kelledjian $1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Silva Mermer $1,000
Mr. Kevork & Dr. Alis Belgen $ 1,000
Anonymous Donor $1,000
Fr. Zareh & Yeretsgin Naira Zargarian $500
Mr. & Mrs. Masis & Aida Afarian $500
Mr. & Mrs. Harootoon & Anahid Panosian $500
Mr. & Mrs. Raffy & Linda Kidikian $500
HTAC Sunday School Teachers $500
Ms Rose Aharonian $500
Mrs. Frances Kandaharian $500
Mrs. Hera Kavukyan $500
Miss Hasmig Kurdian $500
Mr. & Mrs. Takvor & Lucy Hopyan $500
Mr. & Mrs. Samvel & Susanna Harutyunyan $500
Mrs. Sonia Artinian $380
Mr. Ara Muradyan $300
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Juliette Gizirian $300
Mr. & Mrs. Migirdic & Ani Migirdicyan $250
Mr. & Mrs. Boghos & Zaroug and Ms Lena Ishkanian $250
Mr. & Mrs. Alexan & Nora Baltayan $250
Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Irene Nazarian $240
Dr. & Mrs. Gaspar & Lena Israelian $240
Dr. & Mrs. Berdj & Mannic Artinian $240
Mrs. Rita Musluyan $200
Ms Talin Arzumanian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Simon & Salpy Kutyan $200
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Annie Derkevorkian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Ohannes & Makruhi Karak $200
Ms Taline Baltayan $150
Mrs. Stella Kavoukian-Scharf & Dr. Nathan Scharf $150
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Janet Yeremian $120
Mrs. Diana Bogosyan $100
Mr. & Mrs. Jirayr & Zarminee Yeretsian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Avedis & Ardemis Moushian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Nurel & Lena Beylerian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Maria Bozuk $100
Mr. & Mrs. Tigran & Anna Vardanyan $50
GENERAL
Mr. & Mrs. Shant & Tamar Mahdessian $100
Dn. Sivan Khacik $50
LOUMA
Mr. Sasoon Manoukian $50
Mrs. Sona Artinian $50
MEMBERSHIP
Mrs. Narine Babayan Zakharyan $80
Mr. Levon Zakharyan $80
Gabriel Zakharyan $40
HTAC HUMANITARIAN FUND (Armenian Wounded Soldiers)
Mrs. Gohar Tutkhalyan $200
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE SERANOUSH BANDARI
Mr. & Mrs. Arvin & Lara Zohrabian $100
Mr. Serjik Anbarchian $100
Mr. & Mrs. Masis & Roubina Zargarian $100
Ms. Laura Everitt Taylor $100
Ms. Cathy MacPherson $100
Mr. Robert Jacksteit $100
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew & Maral Avanesi $50
Mr. Anstlmo Castillo $50
Mr. Hagop Kassemdjian $20
Mr. & Mrs. Hratch & Maral Ateshian $50
THE LATE SHOUSHAN KHERBEGUIAN
Ms Rose Aharonian $100
THE LATE ANOUSH AND HAROUTIUN SARGSIAN
Mrs. Hripsik Sarkissian $200
THE LATE ARTO & VEHANOUSH ARZOUIAN
Mrs. Arpi Mar $200
THE LATE SATENIG ERAMIAN
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Silva Meneshian $100
AYNACIYAN, SUHA, SETHIAN FAMILY MEMBERS
Mr. & Mrs. Sahnur & Madlen Aynaciyan $100
THE LATE HARMIK AVANESSIAN
Mrs. Anik Avenessian $100
THE LATE YEGHISHÉ,
YEPRAKSÉ
Ms Hasmig Kurdian $100
BELOVED DEPARTED SOULS
Mrs. Azadouhi Restoukian $30
& ARAXIE KIRISHJIAN
THE LATE HARUTYUN GUNAYDIN
Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Alis Aksu $50
ALTAR FLOWERS
Mr. & Mrs. Aris & Sibil Kurkjian $100 (November30)
ALTAR FLOWERS
Ms Rose Aharonian $100 (December7)
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
Tel:
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