FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SYNAXIS READINGS
ISAIAH 1:21–31
ROMANS 7:25–8:11
MATTHEW 12:38–45
Father᾽s Day Picnic from 10:00 am
Blessing of the four corners of the world (Antasdan) & Blessing of the fathers at 12:00 pm
ROMANS 7.25-8.11
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature d a slave to the law of sin.
Do you not know, brothers and sisters for I am speaking to those who know the law that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were in the realm of the flesh, a the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
MATTHEW 12.38-45
ThensomeofthePhariseesandteachersofthelawsaidtohim,“Teacher, wewantto seea sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
COMMEMORATION OF THE PROPHET DANIEL, AND HIS COMPANIONS STS. SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO
June 23
The Prophet Daniel is one of the four great prophets of the Old Testament. Nearly all that is known concerning the Prophet is derived from the book ascribed to him, which dates back to the VII-VI centuries B.C. Daniel, a young man who had been captured during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah was taken to Babylon. There, he receives his education in Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s royal court. Soon after, due to his intellect and talents, he is given a highranking position in the king’s chancellery.
Daniel becomes famous when he rescues an innocent woman from the unfounded slander of two men. Having gained greater notoriety, Daniel interprets a dream had by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s successes arise the envy of the other servants in the royal court. They accuse him of worshipping false gods and demand that the King imprison the prophet. Daniel is thrown into a den of lions. The following day, the king approaches the pit to mourn the death of his devoted and wise servant. He is surprised to hear the Prophet Daniel responding to his cries of sorrow. Daniel tells the king that God sealed
the mouths of the lions to protect him from harm. Daniel continues, saying that he is innocent, and has not wronged the king by his worship of God. The king is overjoyed, and orders that Daniel be released from the lions’ den.
Three young men and companions of Daniel – Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, were also taken to Babylon. Upon their arrival they received new names - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and were raised and educated in the royal court together with the prophet and protected their faith.
SAHAG BARTEV AND
June 25
MESROB MASHDOTS
Every year the Armenian Church commemorates St. Sahag Bartev and St. Mesrob Mashdots twice.
Translators' Day is celebrated on the Thursday following the fourth Sunday of Pentecost (June 25 this year). For the second time, the Armenian Apostolic Church The Translators' Day will be celebrated on the Thursday following the Fourth Sunday of the Holy Cross.
KING TIRDATES, QUEEN ASHKHEN AND PRINCESS
KHOSROVITOOKHT
June 27
On June 27, the Armenian Church will commemorate King Tirdates, Queen Ashkhen And Princess Khosrovitookht.
After the assassination of his father King Khosrov I and other members of the royal family by Anak the Parthian, prince Tirdates (250-330) was sent to Caesarea and then Rome, where he was raised and educated in law, language, royal etiquette and military strategy. In 287, with the Roman protection and assistance Tirdates returns to Armenian and assumes his rightful place as King Tirdates III.
The surviving son of Anak, Gregory, comes to Armenia with Tirdates in hope of repenting for the sin of his father and with a mission of spreading Christianity in Armenia. He becomes one of the king's advisors, but his religion and identity soon became known and he was subjected to torture and imprisoned in a pit to die.
After condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of his role in torture and martyrdom of Hripsimyan nuns, the King loses his sanity. His wife, Queen Ashkhen - the daughter of the King of the Alans, his sister, Princess Khosrovitookht and nobles were very worried with the worsening condition of the king. The Princess started to have a recurring vision, that suggested Gregory was the only person that can cure the ailing Tirdates. After numerous appemts, the princes finally convince incredulous nobles to bring Gregory out of the pit and through his prayers and with God's grace the king was healed.
Upon King Trdad's recovery, him, his wife, and his sister aided Gregory in spreading the Christian faith in the land of our ancestors, also known as the Great Conversion of Armenia. St. Gregory then went to Caesarea, where he was ordained as a bishop.
Upon his return from Caesarea he baptized the King Tirdates III, his family, his entire court and army in Euphrates River. In the year 301 King Tirdates III proclaims Christianity as the state religion and Armenia becomes the first Christian country in the world.
GENERAL
List of Donations – June 13 to June 19, 2026
Samvel Kochinyan $100
Khachatur Kocharyan & Armine Ararmyan $200
Meri Nersisyan $30
Vartkes Rubenyan $100
Jaskizat Singh $100
SENIORS’ DAY
Emma Nazarian $50
Hermine Madjarian $100
Maria Topalian-Anoushian $20
Sona Dervishoghlian $20
Ghassan Marza $100
Harak Wartabidian $25
Razmik Manook $100
Hersebma Manook $200
Anais Orchanian $50
Hasmig Boyajian $20
Lilia Mahdessi Sarkissian $100
Maryam Hambarchian $50
Anni Vires-Avanessy $50
DD Anonymous $50
Antoine & Sylvia Hannaian $50
Lusine Shavinyan $20
Leon & Christine Haddad $25
Lucie Gharibian $100
Araksi Sarkhoshian $40
Zvart Kirmiziyan $50
Lorie Balakji $120
Silva Kurkjian $50
Talin Maltepe $100
Madat Mamourian $25
Aleksan & Arpi Oymakas $50
Koharig Hasessian $50
Kerakos Nerces $70
Sonia Artinian $50
Hagop & Seta Chilingirian $50
Lydia Kupelian $75
Nina Aharonian $50
Yercanik Kuyumcuyan $20
Henry, Seta, Bedros & Tenny Nigoghossian $50
Henry, Seta, Bedros & Tenny Nigoghossian $100
Taline Baltayan $100
Madeline Sahakian $100
Seda Kandaharian $50
Sirvart Mikaelian $50
Sevan Yerevanian $100
Mike & Alice Kouyoumjian $50
Aida Martayan $100
Jaklen Keshah-Esagholian $100
Hilda Eramian $25
Murat Nisan $50
Helen Awakimian $50
Murat & Luiz Karakas $100
Dikran Cicek $50
Sara Tomasian $50
Vahe Kerim $50
Edmond & Nver Bastermajian $50
Vasken Deukmedjian $50
Salpy Kutyan $100
Anne Madeleine Djerahian $50
Ayda Melconian $100
Beatrice Hagopian $20
Zepur Etoyan $20
Nora Baltayan $75
Harutiun & Seta Sahakoglu $50
Taline Gumushdjian $50
LOUMA
Zvart Kirmiziyan $50
Kirkor Ozsogomonyan $150
Rostom Mirzoyan $50
Khatchig Mirzoyan $100
WOMEN'S GUILD
Andre Nazarian $250
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE AVAK GARABEDIAN
Hagop & Jane Koundakjian $200
Kevork Garabedian $100
Noubar Takessian $100
Seda Adamian $50
Ida Khajadourian $100
Kevork & Marlene Kebabdjian & Family $100
Hagop Meldonian $100
Nadia Garabedian $200
Hovig Moushian $200
Aleks Auto Body Works $250
Sirvart Mikaelian $50
Vergie Eliang $50
Vazken Kerametlian $100
Berta Kebabdjian $40
Ani Kerametlian $100
Dikran and Nairy Kalaydjian $100
Khatcho Yazedjian $25
John & Silvia Khatchadourian $100
Sam Alvaro $200
Rafy Terzian $100
Suzanne Addley $25
Krikor Sarkissian $40
Paul & Deborah Hicknell $50
Kathleen Moss $200
Diane Hollo $100
Kayla Fehr $150
Vatche Kerametlian $100
Krikor Sarkissian $40
THE LATE FILOR SAHAKIAN
Zvart Kirmiziyan $50
THE LATE KUHAR OZSOGOMANYAN
Kirkor Ozsogomonyan $200
THE LATE BERDJ TANIELIAN
Silvia Alexanian $250
Mihran & Aida Deveci $200
Choghig Karadjian $100
Carolyn Lapas $200
Madeleine Manoukian $200
Michael Yammine $100
Christine Chano $50
Laila Kozman $200
Nurel and Lena Beylerian $50
Jack & Kathrin Sakarya $100
Michael Jamgodchian $100
John Hovig Tellyan $200
Haig Kelledjian $50
Serge Colekessian $100
Rodof Carkci $100
Madat Mamourian $100
Nora Gunn $100
Selim and Mary Assal $100
Mihran & Seta Cavdar $100
Antranik & Alice Baronian $100
Jeannette Ohannesyan $100
Rubina Baronian $100
George Chammas $100
Raffi & Christine Pirjanian $225
Nadia Zada and Family $300
Silva Mermer $100
Rita Musluyan $100
Anni Vires-Avanessy $50
Andy & Najda Zada $100
Arman Bogosyan $500
Avedis & Juliette Gizirian $100
Diana Bogosyan $100
Ara & Annie Derkevorkian $100
Ray Littel $200
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
Հինգշաբթի
Առաքելական
անդամներուն
Annual Prayer Gathering and Luncheon for Seniors
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church hosted its annual prayer gathering and luncheon dedicated to the senior members of the community. The event is organized each year by the Seniors' Visitation Committee.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Vicar of the Armenian Diocese of Canada and Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. During his sermon, Fr. Zareh expressed his gratitude to the Seniors' Health Centre for its many years of devoted care and dedicated service to the senior members of the community. On the same occasion, he expressed his appreciation to Deacon Garbis Cicekian, Deacon Murat Karakas, the members of the Altar Servers' Choir, and organist Sona Artinyan for their prayerful participation and faithful service during the Divine Liturgy.
Referring to the "Let's Build Together" initiative, Fr. Zareh once again presented the proposed development project adjacent to the church, noting that it was especially wonderful news for the senior members of the community.
Following the Divine Liturgy, everyone proceeded to the church hall, where the luncheon and artistic program took place. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Karolin Khushapen, Chair of the Seniors' Visitation Committee, who greeted everyone in attendance and thanked the volunteers for their dedicated service and their efforts in making the event a success.
The luncheon began with the blessing offered by Fr. Zareh. Afterwards, beloved singer Hrant Ketenjian enlivened the celebration with his songs, as guests enjoyed dancing, singing, and spending a joyful afternoon together.
The event concluded in a warm, joyful, and family-like atmosphere, providing the senior members of the community with memorable moments of fellowship and celebration. Once again, the gathering reflected the longstanding dedication and selfless service of the Seniors' Visitation Committee in preserving this cherished annual tradition.
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
Join us this summer for our biweekly hikes every other Monday at 7:30 PM, starting June 22, 2026!
Whether you're looking to stay active, meet new people, or simply enjoy the outdoors, our hikes are a great way to spend your Monday evenings.
What to expect:
• A new trail every hike • Great company and fresh air
• Trails suitable for all experience levels • A fun and welcoming community
Trail locations will be announced closer to each hike date.
Drop-ins are welcome, bring a friend and join us on the trail! See you outdoors!
Ticket price is all-inclusive Tickets are non-refundable
RSVP by e-transfer to: info@barevcentre.com
RSVP Deadline: June 24, 2026
