BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//St Mary's Armenian Church - ECPv6.17.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:St Mary's Armenian Church
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for St Mary's Armenian Church
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Australia/Melbourne
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20230401T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20230930T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20240406T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20241005T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+1100
TZOFFSETTO:+1000
TZNAME:AEST
DTSTART:20250405T160000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+1000
TZOFFSETTO:+1100
TZNAME:AEDT
DTSTART:20251004T160000
END:DAYLIGHT
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240618
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240619
DTSTAMP:20240607T025408Z
CREATED:20240607T025408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T025408Z
UID:1221-1718668800-1718755199@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Prophet Daniel and his Companions Saints Setrak\, Misak and Apetnakov
DESCRIPTION:The Prophet Daniel (meaning God is my Judge)\, 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. \nDaniel and his youthful companions Shadrach (Setrak)\, Meshach (Misak) and Abednego (Apetnakov) were captured during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. They were taken to Babylon and found favour with the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Soon after\, due to his intellect and talents\, he is given a high ranking position in the king’s chancellery. \nDaniel 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 create envy amongst 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. \nThree young men and companions of Daniel; Hananiah\, Mishael and Azariah\, were also taken to Babylon.  Upon their arrival they received new names\, Setrak\, Misak and Apetnakov. They were raised and educated in the royal court together with the prophet Daniel and were very protective of their faith. Once\, during a solemn festival\, as everyone worshipped King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue\, Setrak\, Misak and Apetnakov refused to bow down before it. The king ordered the three men to be thrown into a blazing furnace for their disobedience. Instead of burning\, however\, they continued to render glory to God and were protected by an angel of heaven. Witnessing the miracle\, the king released the three young men\, blessed them and worshipped God. \nRef: Book of Daniel\, chapters 1 to 3 
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-the-prophet-daniel-and-his-companions-saints-setrak-misak-and-apetnakov-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240615
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240616
DTSTAMP:20240607T025331Z
CREATED:20240607T025331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T025331Z
UID:1219-1718409600-1718495999@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration Day of the Discovery of the Relics of St Gregory the Illuminator
DESCRIPTION:The relics of St Gregory the Illuminator (Lousavorich) are one of our most revered within the Armenian Church\, as well as all Christian Churches. \nThe discovery of the relics of St Gregory the Illuminator is one of the three significant feast days dedicated to the memory of the Patron Saint of Armenia and the impact of the holy father on the foundation of that which has become our National Church. \nAs St Gregory grew old and became more involved in solitary life\, King Tiridates III (Drtad) asked him to ordain Gregory’s younger son Arisdagés\, a bishop\, and to take him on as his assistant. Gregory had already retired by 325AD\, when the Holy Council of Nicea took place\, and thus he sent his son Arisdagés in his place to participate in this first ecumenical gathering of bishops of the Christian Church. In his retired state\, however\, Gregory continued his pastoral work by preaching and writing homilies\, employing a simple language so that people could understand. \nAccording to Holy Tradition\, following Armenia’s conversion to Christianity\, in his final years\, St Gregory led an ascetic life in the cave of Mane. The “Caves of Mane” were located on a mountain named Sebouh\, near Erzindjan (now in Eastern Turkey)\, where he died.  This place had previously been the residence of the Virgin Mané\, one of St Hripsime’s companions. It is unclear how long St Gregory lived there and when exactly he died. Shepherds found his body and buried him beneath a pile of stones\, not recognising the Armenian Pontiff. The St Krikor the Illuminator or Medz Lousavorich Monastery was founded on this site in the fifth century. \nDuring the fifth century\, a hermit named Karnig of Basen was guided by a vision to the grave of the saint and discovered his relics. It was customary in those days to distribute relics of saints to various churches in different parts\, and most probably\, the same practice was implemented in St Gregory’s case. Karnig took the body of the saint to the village of Tortan\, in the province of Daranagh\, located to the east of Mount Sebouh\, and buried some of the relics there; the rest were taken elsewhere. At some point\, on or near St Gregory’s unmarked grave\, a church was built\, which is now known as The Holy Saviour Monastery of Tortan (Grave of the Nine Saints).  The exact site of St Gregory’s grave in Tortan was not known\, even to visitors in the tenth century; but nine other graves existed inside the church and were said to belong to King Tiridates\, his queen Askhen\, his sister Khosrovitoukht and other members of St Gregory’s family. The church has been abandoned since the events of 1915. \nHoly Relics \nThe remaining relics of St Gregory were later taken to the Monastery of St John the Baptist in Pakavan (Bagavan)\, where St Gregory had baptised King Tiridates and the Armenian people in the Aradzani River. The relics were kept in a box and taken out on important occasions. In 450 AD\, a rumour arose in Armenia that St Vartan and the Armenian wealthy and influentials had accepted the Persian religion during their visit to Persia’s royal court. On returning\, they were met by a gathering of priests\, noblemen and common people who held forth the box of St Gregory’s relics as a reminder of their Christian roots. Similar incidents occurred at times of turmoil and joy. \nThe relics of St Gregory were later taken and laid beneath the massive columns of the Holy Zvartnots Church\, whose ruins are still visible near the airport of Yerevan. The saint’s skull was kept separately in a box. At some point the skull was transferred to the West and is now kept in the church of St Gregory the Armenian in Naples\, Italy. Recently\, some other relics of St Gregory\, deposited in Naples\, were recently transferred to the Armenian Church by the Roman Catholic Church\, as a tribute to the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s conversion to Christianity. \nToday\, relics of St Gregory may be found at Holy Etchmiadzin\, Holy Jerusalem and Antilias. The relic at Holy Etchmiadzin\, encased in an arm shaped reliquary\, is used to bless the Holy Chrism (Muron) once every seven years. It is on display in the treasury of the Holy See. \nIn the calendar of the Armenian Church\, the discovery of the relics of St Gregory is an important feast and is commemorated on the Saturday before the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. \nRef: Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Maskoudian\, adapted from his book “The Holy Feasts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator: Celebrating the Life & Lineage of Armenia’s Patron Saint” (2003). \nClick here for further information on the Churches and Monasteries of Erzindjan.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-day-of-the-discovery-of-the-relics-of-st-gregory-the-illuminator-2/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240611
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240612
DTSTAMP:20240607T025238Z
CREATED:20240607T025238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T025238Z
UID:1217-1718064000-1718150399@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of Sts Constantine (Kostandianos) the Emperor and his mother Helen (Helena)
DESCRIPTION:King Kostandianos (Constantine) was born in the city of Nish\, in the former Yugoslavia. He is one of the most prominent figures of the Roman Empire. It was he who officially released the Church from persecutions lasting more than 250 years and in 313 A.D. By the Encyclical of Milan he proclaimed Christianity to be a permitted religion. It was during the period of his reign that the first Ecumenical Council of 325 A.D. was convened\, which condemned Arius (and Arianism) and adopted the word “Birth” to show that the Holy Son has the same nature as the Holy Father and is God. King Kostandianos supported the construction of magnificent Churches and Cathedrals in the Holy Sites of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. \nKing Kostandianos was also a renowned and successful captain in battle. According to tradition\, before the decisive battle against the imposter\, King Maxentios\, he had the vision of the Holy Cross. With the sign of the Holy Cross he faced the battle and won. King Kostandianos passed away in 337 A.D\, and at death’s door he was baptised according to the Christian rite. \nQueen Helena (Heghineh)\, mother of the King Kostandianos\, supported the king’s pious activity. The discovery of the wooden Holy Cross\, is ascribed to the Queen. In 327AD\, the Queen\, who was in her mid seventies\, set out on a long journey to Jerusalem with the primary intention of finding the actual Cross upon which Jesus Christ had been crucified. Following a series of inquiries\, with the help of a local Jew named Judas in Golgotha (where Christ was crucified)\, the Cross was discovered\, and the authenticity of the relic was tested by a miracle. \nWhen the Cross was unearthed\, two other crosses were found in the same place. Jesus was crucified with two thieves\, and when the three crosses were discovered side by side\, it raised questions about which was the True Cross. Just then\, a funeral procession was passing by. The procession was stopped\, and the corpse of the deceased was placed upon the first cross. Nothing happened. The corpse was then placed upon the second cross. Again\, nothing happened. Finally\, the corpse was placed upon the third cross which happened to be the True Cross. Immediately\, the deceased came back to life having touched the very wood upon which Jesus had been crucified. \nAfter that miracle\, Judas Cyriacus is converted to Christianity and later becomes a bishop of Jerusalem. After the discovery of the Holy Cross\, Heghineh renovated the Holy Places of Jerusalem and built the Church of Holy Resurrection of Golgotha\, where later the Lord’s cross was installed. \nQueen Heghineh (Helena) passed away in 330 A.D.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-sts-constantine-kostandianos-the-emperor-and-his-mother-helen-helena/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240609
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240610
DTSTAMP:20240607T025205Z
CREATED:20240607T025205Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T025205Z
UID:1215-1717891200-1717977599@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Eve of the Fast of St Gregory the Illuminator
DESCRIPTION:This is the Sunday preceding the week prior to the feast of Discovery of St Gregory the Illuminator’s relics\, in the 5th century. The week long fast lasts from Monday to Friday.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/eve-of-the-fast-of-st-gregory-the-illuminator/
CATEGORIES:Feasts & Commemorations
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240608
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240609
DTSTAMP:20240607T025039Z
CREATED:20240607T025039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T025039Z
UID:1212-1717804800-1717891199@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St Nersess the Great and St Bishop Khad
DESCRIPTION:St Nersess was an Armenian Catholicos (Patriarch) who lived in the 4th century and was the great grandson of St Gregory the Illuminator. His father\, Athenogenes\, and his uncle\, Bab\, who were next in line for the succession to the Throne of St Gregory\, were laymen and had no desire to become priests. As professional soldiers\, they showed no inclination to spirituality and their worldly behaviour convinced the Armenian bishops that neither of them were suitable for the position of chief bishop. \nTherefore\, the church turned its attention to Nersess\, the son of Athenogenes\, to assume the position. St Nersess had spent his youth in Caesarea where he married Sanducht\, (presumably the daughter of King Diran) and they had a son\, who later became the renowned Catholicos\, St Sahag the Parthian\, grandfather of St Vartan Mamigonian. St Nersess was a courtier and served as chamberlain of King Arshag II. \nHowever\, despite his secular background\, St Nersess was a pious Christian. His connection with St Gregory the Illuminator impressed the royal magnates who held council with the king and they advised the king to persuade St Nersess to become the spiritual leader of Armenia. A humble man by nature\, St Nersess refused their proposal\, feeling unworthy of such an honour. The king dismissed his arguments and insisted that St Nersess immediately be ordained a deacon\, then priest\, and ultimately chief bishop or Catholicos. He was ordained by Archbishop Eusebius of Caesarea in 353 A.D. \nSt Nersess’ patriarchate marked a new era in Armenian history. Previously\, the Church had been identified\, primarily\, with royal family and noblemen; St Nersess now brought the Church into a closer relationship with its people. St Nersess immediately undertook his duties of the chief bishop\, renovating old churches\, founding new ones and tending to the spiritual needs of his flock. In the early days of Christianity in Armenia however\, many of the people were not strong in their Christian practices. To that end\, St Nersess held a council of bishops in Ashdishad and introduced a number of reforms regarding divine worship\, laws on marriage and fast days in order to make the beliefs of the church more uniform. \nSt Nerses also became known for his concern for moral purity and preserving the sanctity of marriage and family life. He built schools and hospitals\, orphanages\, shelters for the poor and the lepers\, and he urged his people to maintain these institutions. Thus\, St Nersess has been described by many as the founder of Christian charity in Armenia and recognised as the clergyman who established the Church’s role as the guardian of the Armenian people in its spiritual\, social and educational aspects. \nAs a leader\, St Nersess also participated in the political life of his country and was among King Arshag’s chief advisors during the period 353-359 AD. Upon Nersess’ initiative\, a National Ecclesiastical Council was convened in Ashtishat in 354 AD. \nHowever\, King Arshag’s adherence to the religious policy (Arianism) of his ally\, the Roman emperor\, a policy which conflicted with St Nersess’ Christian Orthodox beliefs\, eventually necessitated the removal of St Nersess. He was exiled for nine years. When he returned\, King Bab\, Arshag’s son\, reigned. Due to the conflict in their beliefs\, the friction between the King and St Nersess intensified during the next few years. \nThe religious differences\, as well as St Nersess’ condemnation of King Bab’s moral depravity\, are cited as reasons for St Nersess’ sudden\, untimely death. At the king’s order\, St Nersess was poisoned in 373 A.D. He was buried in Til\, near the tomb of his great uncle St Aristakes (Arisdages). A cathedral built over the original grave site was destroyed in the 7th century. While the exact site is unknown\, relics were discovered and distributed in the 13th century between the church in Erzindjan and the nearby village of Kee\, where the Monastery of Dirashen stood. Another monastery near Til\, Chukhdag Hayrabedats\, also claimed to have discovered relics of St Nersess in the second half of the 7th century. \nFor his devout activity\, Nersess the Great is also called the “Illuminator of Hearts”. \nS Nersess is always commemorated with his associate Bishop Khad (Khat). Like Nersess\, Khat\, a native of the village of Marak near Karin (modern Erzurum) was a married man and had two daughters. He had been St Nersess’ pupil and deacon. Ultimately he rose to the rank of bishop and was placed in charge of two districts\, Pakrevant and Arsharunik. Through the marriage of his daughters\, he was associated with the noble Abahuni clan. During St Nersess’ tenure of office\, he was designated as supervisor of the poor and the charitable institutions founded by his mentor. The latter\, in his absence\, entrusted him with the care of church affairs\, officially naming him his vicar. Khat faithfully carried out his ministry. \nLike Nereses\, Khat was also an adamant supporter of orthodoxy against the royal court\, which adhered to the heretical teachings of Arius. For this reason\, he was in conflict with the king\, who tried to bribe him\, to no avail\, since Khat distributed the gifts bestowed on him among the poor. King Arshag had him driven from the royal camp and ordered his men to stone the bishop. He was spared the ordeal of a painful death thanks to his Abahuni clansmen\, related to him through marriage. One of his sons in law\, Asurk\, succeeded to his episcopal rank and office\, presumably after his own wife’s demise. \nKhat is not a martyr\, but his sufferings at the hands of King Arshag make him a confessor. \nBy the Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Maksoudian\, adapted from his volume\, “The Holy Feasts of St. Gregory the Illuminator” (St. Vartan Press\, 2002).
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-st-nersess-the-great-and-st-bishop-khad/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240519T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240519T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035212Z
CREATED:20240311T035212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035212Z
UID:1188-1716076800-1716076800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Eve of the Fast of Elijah
DESCRIPTION:One of the four seasonal fasting periods\, defined by the Armenian Apostolic Church\, is the fasting period preceding the beginning of summer (northern hemisphere). This fasting period\, as well as the other ones preceding the other seasons of the year\, is not a preparation for any feast. According to tradition it is called Elijah’s fast\, as coincides with the Feast of the Commemoration the Prophet Elijah the next Sunday.\nThis fasting period starts the day following the Feast of Pentecost and lasts five days\, from Monday till Friday.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/eve-of-the-fast-of-elijah/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240519T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240519T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035212Z
CREATED:20240311T035212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035212Z
UID:1189-1716076800-1716076800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:The Feast of Pentecost: Hokekaloust
DESCRIPTION:“When the day of Pentecost came\, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4). \nOn the day of Pentecost (Hokekaloust)\, tongues of fire filled the upper room resting upon the heads of Jesus’ disciples who had gathered together as had been instructed. In this dramatic scene\, the disciples felt the Holy Spirit descend upon them as they began speaking in other languages and could be understood by a crowd of believers from other nations. \nWith the tongues of fire came the ability for the spread of Christianity to other nations which would soon reach the land of Armenia by the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. This would become the birth of the Armenian Church and the nation’s religion.\nTongues symbolise God’s purifying presence which burns away the undesirable elements of our lives and sets our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others.\nThe coming of the Holy Spirit (or Hokekaloust in Armenian) is celebrated by the Armenian Church\, as in all Christian churches\, 50 days after Easter.\nAs possessors of this beautiful faith\, Pentecost points us to our personal Pentecost\, for just as the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles\, so too does the Holy Spirit come to each one of us at the time of our chrismation or confirmation with the anointing of the Holy Oil. As baptised infants\, if we are open to that gift\, it transforms us and inspires us to live a Christ centred existence\, in which the fruits of the Spirit — love\, joy\, peace\, patience\, kindness\, goodness\, faithfulness\, gentleness and self-control — can grow and thrive.\nBut the fruit of the Spirit is love\, joy\, peace\, forbearance\, kindness\, goodness\, faithfulness\,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.\n(Galatians 5:22-23)
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/the-feast-of-pentecost-hokekaloust-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240512T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240512T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035212Z
CREATED:20240311T035212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035212Z
UID:1187-1715472000-1715472000@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Second Palm Sunday
DESCRIPTION:The name of the feast is derived from Palm Sunday\, which precedes Easter. The Second Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the triumphant entry of the Ascended Christ into the Heavenly Jerusalem\, where the angels meet him with great happiness and delight.\nAccording to old beliefs\, during St Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment in the pit\, he was visited every day by the same angel. However one day\, the angel did not come. The following morning\, St Gregory inquired as to the reason for his absence\, to which the angel responded that during the Ascension\, Christ had passed through the ranks of the Angels and thus they celebrate that feast each year. The angel visiting St Gregory was from the fourth class of angelic hosts\, and thus\, on the fourth day following the Ascension\, his rank of angels commemorates and celebrates Christ’s Ascension to heaven every year.\nSt Gregory of Datev\, one of the greatest theologians of the Armenian Church\, has his own famous interpretation of this event. Prior to His Ascension\, the ranks of angels\, except for the lowest class\, who served Christ during His earthly life\, were not aware of Christ’s incarnation for the salvation of man. St Gregory’s commentary states that when the Lord was passing through the ranks of angels\, they were surprised and asked\, “Who was that powerful king?” The angels accompanying Christ thus informed them.\nThis dialogue of angels is presented in the Holy Bible as follows:\n“Lift up your heads\, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up\, ye everlasting doors;\nand the King of glory shall come in.”\n“Who is this King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty\, the LORD mighty in\nbattle.”\n“Lift up your heads\, O ye gates; even lift them up\, ye everlasting doors;\nand the King of glory shall come in.”\n“Who is this King of glory?”\n“The LORD of hosts\, he is the King of glory.”\n (Psalms 24:7-10)\nThis beautiful angelic dialogue is heard during the Divine Liturgy\, as the deacon approaches the celebrant priest with the chalice during the Great Entrance (Verapehroom).\nSecond Palm Sunday is one more reminder of the Ascension of Christ and grants us the hope for ascending to heaven after our deaths and being in the bliss of God’s presence.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/second-palm-sunday-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240509T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240509T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035212Z
CREATED:20240311T035212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035212Z
UID:1186-1715212800-1715212800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Feast of Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ
DESCRIPTION:The Feast of Holy Ascension marks the ascent of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day following His glorious Resurrection. The timing is clearly specified in the Acts of the Apostles\, where it is stated that Christ presented himself alive to the Apostles\, “appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).\nOn the 40th day\, after he finished speaking to the Apostles\, “as they were looking on\, he was lifted up\, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9).  The Gospel according to Mark sums up the same story as follows: “So then the Lord Jesus\, after he had spoken to them\, was taken up into heaven\, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16: 19). The same account is also in the Gospel according to Luke: “While he blessed them\, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51).  There are also several references to this event in some of the other books of the New Testament.\nThe Feast of the Ascension is an important Dominical feast (one relating to the life of Jesus Christ) that has been celebrated in the universal church since ancient times.  Modern scholarship traces its earliest observance to the 4th century.\nIt is always celebrated on the 40th day after Easter and falls on a Thursday; however\, in the Armenian Church\, the observance of the feast begins on Wednesday evening during vespers.\nFrom ancient tradition\, we know that the Ascension of the Lord took place on the Mount of Olives.  To this day the Armenian Brotherhood of St. James in Jerusalem holds vesper service and a vigil on the eve of the Feast of the Ascension at the sanctuary on the Mount of Olives.\nBesides being a Dominical feast (see below)\, the Ascension also marks the anniversary of the reestablishment of the Holy See at the monastery of Holy Etchmiadzin in 1441\, after a separation of almost 1\,000 years.\nAs with other feasts\, Ascension and the Resurrection of the Lord are celebrated over the following nine days until Pentecost.\nDominical Feasts are connected to Christ’s mission of redemption as well as feasts dedicated to the Holy Mother of God\, the Holy Cross and Holy Church.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/feast-of-ascension-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240428T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240428T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035212Z
CREATED:20240311T035212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035212Z
UID:1185-1714262400-1714262400@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross
DESCRIPTION:This feast is celebrated 28 days after Easter Sunday and is dedicated to the Apparition of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. At noon on May 19\, 351AD\, a bright\, luminous cross appeared over the skies of Jerusalem\, centred over an area spanning from the Mount of Olives (where Christ was betrayed and arrested) to Golgotha (where Christ was crucified). Bishop Cyril (later St. Cyril of Jerusalem) subsequently wrote a letter to Emperor Constantine of Byzantium wherein he describes the miraculous and beautiful scene. St. Cyril tells Constantine that the apparition is a true testimony of the Orthodox faith of Christianity. Further\, St Cyril exhorts the Emperor that the appearance is a sign for him to remain steadfast in his faith and to stop defending the heretical movement of Arianism (Arianism holds that the Son is distinct from the Father and therefore subordinate to Him) and its lawmakers.\nThe Armenian translation of the Bishop’s letter has been preserved by the Church and is read each year on the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/feast-of-the-apparition-of-the-holy-cross-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240424T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240424T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035157Z
CREATED:20240311T035157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035157Z
UID:1184-1713916800-1713916800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
DESCRIPTION:The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century. The lives of 1.5 million Armenians were lost\, who were massacred by Ottoman Turkey’s “Young Turk” government beginning in 1915. The deportation and mass extermination of Armenians continued until 1923.\nPlanned and executed during World War I\, the Armenian Genocide saw the virtual elimination of Armenians from their ancestral homeland. Those who were not killed immediately\, were led on horrific death marches\, like the one through the Der Zor desert in Syria. The mass exodus of surviving Armenians from Anatolia resulted in the dispersal of the Armenian people to every corner of the world. Today\, the large Armenian diaspora comprises over 4 million people (roughly equal to the number of Armenians living in the modern Republic of Armenia).\nThe Armenian Genocide began on April 24\, 1915\, when Ottoman authorities arrested and killed some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. Those arrested included Armenian doctors\, lawyers\, parliamentarians\, authors\, and artists. Armenian civilians\, including the elderly\, women and children\, were then forcibly removed from their homes and sent on death marches for hundreds of miles\, with no food or water.\nArmenian communities around the world commemorate each April 24 as “Armenian Martyrs Day\,” which they observe with religious and cultural memorials.\nOn the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide\, the genocide martyrs were canonised during a special service at the Mother See of Holy Etchimiadzin as the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide on April 23\, 2015. This made the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide the first saints canonised in the Armenian Church in hundreds of years. With the canonisation\, the Armenian Church’s newest feast day\, the Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide\, is celebrated on April 24.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-the-holy-martyrs-of-the-armenian-genocide/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240421T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240421T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092914Z
CREATED:20240311T035157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092914Z
UID:1183-1713657600-1713657600@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Red Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Although there seems to be no ecclesiastical origin or significance for Red Sunday\, the colour red recalls numerous themes within Christianity and the tradition of the Armenian Church. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that redeems and heals us\, the source of life which spilled into the ground from the Cross to give life and salvation to the entire created order. \nThe colour red also recalls the blood of the Church martyrs: those who follow the pattern of Jesus\, those men and women who demonstrated valiant faith\, unafraid to die for Jesus Christ\, confident in his words and promise to raise to new life for those who know and follow him.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/red-sunday/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240414T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240414T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092854Z
CREATED:20240311T035157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092854Z
UID:1182-1713052800-1713052800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Sunday of the World Church (Green Sunday)
DESCRIPTION:The second Sunday of Easter commemorates Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor)\, the first Church of Jerusalem\, established by Christ. \nOn the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover\, Jesus instructs two of the Apostles\, Peter and John\, to go into Jerusalem and meet a man\, who would direct them to a house where Christ and His Apostles could celebrate the Passover Feast. Peter and John are led to the “Upper Room” of a house\, where they make the necessary preparations for the meal. Later that evening\, Christ and the Twelve Apostles sit together to eat supper. This “Last Supper” was the event where Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion\, which we celebrate every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is considered to be the first Church\, as founded by Christ. \nThe Sunday of the World Church is also called “Green” Sunday\, which most probably originates from an ancient holiday celebrating spring. Our forefathers\, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter months\, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving and celebrated by decorating the church and themselves with greenery. The reawakening of nature is symbolic of the Resurrection. Green is the colour of life\, freshness\, and promise. After a barren winter and with the Resurrection we are filled with hope\, life and love. \nGreen Sunday is the perfect time for us to remember and strengthen our obligations as good stewards of the earth and caretakers of the gifts given to us by God.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/sunday-of-the-world-church-green-sunday/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240407T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240407T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092834Z
CREATED:20240311T035157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092834Z
UID:1180-1712448000-1712448000@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
DESCRIPTION:On April 7\, the Armenian Church celebrates one of her greatest feasts: the Annunciation to St Mary. In the Gospel of Luke we learn that the Angel Gabriel brings the good news to the Virgin about the birth of the Saviour (Lk 1:26-38). \nAccording to Holy Tradition and the Evangelist\, the Angel Gabriel appears to St. Mary while reading a passage from the prophecy of Isaiah\, in which it is written about the birth of the Emmanuel from a Virgin. The Angel greets Mary\, telling her\, “Fear not\, Mary: for you have found favour with God. And behold\, you shall conceive in your womb\, and bring forth a son\, and shall call His Name JESUS.” \nThe Angel Gabriel further explains to Mary\, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you\, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow you\, therefore also that which is Holy which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.” St Mary could foresee the torments and sufferings that she would endure. However\, by giving mankind an excellent example of obedience to the Divine Will\, she said\, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Beginning from the moment when the Holy Virgin expressed these words\, she was with child. \nThis Gospel story is one expression of why the Armenian Church accords high honour to motherhood\, and appreciates the role of women in family life and the lives of mankind. \nUpon the Pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin II\, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians\, the Feast of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary is proclaimed as a day of “Blessing of Motherhood and Beauty”. On that day\, a special blessing service is conducted in the Armenian Churches.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/annunciation-to-the-virgin-mary/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240407T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240407T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092813Z
CREATED:20240311T035157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092813Z
UID:1181-1712448000-1712448000@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:New (Renewal) Sunday
DESCRIPTION:New Sunday or Renewal Sunday (Nor Giragi) is also called Second Easter (Grgnazadig)\, which means “Easter repeated” as it is the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to Easter in readings and hymns. \nThe significance of the Resurrection of our Lord is essential to our faith\, we are given a new life with our Risen Saviour. This message is conveyed and re-enforced visibly and liturgically also on Sunday following Easter. We are renewed as new creatures with Christ’s resurrection\, “So if anyone is in Christ\, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see\, everything has become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). \nOne of our Church fathers and a great theologian\, St Gregory of Tatev\, explains that there are three reasons for calling this feast New Sunday. The first one is liberation. We are free from all the chains of sin and renewed by the blood of God. The second reason is the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. With His Resurrection Christ conquered death making us new creatures redeemed by the grace of God. Lastly\, it is called a New Sunday for Salvation. We have a renewed hope for forgiveness of our sins. St. Gregory of Tatev elaborated further that New Sunday is a reminder of the joy and celebration of Easter that’s why it is called Grgnazadig\, Easter again. \nRef: Vemkar.us
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/new-renewal-sunday/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240406T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240406T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092739Z
CREATED:20240311T035143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092739Z
UID:1179-1712361600-1712361600@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Beheading of St John the Baptist
DESCRIPTION:The Saturday following the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ\, the Armenian Church commemorates the beheading of St John the Baptist (also known as The Forerunner). \nThe writers of the Gospels\, St Matthew and St Mark\, have explained the history of beheading of St John the Baptist\, who had baptised Christ and gave the good news of His Coming (Mt 14:1-12; St. Mk 6:14-29).\nAccording to the Evangelists\, King Herod arrests and imprisons St John the Baptist\, as a result of John’s condemnation of the king’s marriage to Herodias\, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod wants to put John to death\, but fears the Jews because they considered John to be a prophet. \nOn Herod’s birthday\, fascinated by the dancing of the daughter of Herodias (Salome)\, the king makes an oath to give her anything for which she asks. Following her unforgiving mother’s instructions\, she asks for the head of St John the Baptist on a platter. The king\, realising he has been fooled\, grants the request. \nSt John the Baptist is one of the greatest saints in the Armenian Church. We entreat his name as an intercessor during the divine services\, generally following the name of St Mary. According to tradition\, St Gregory the Illuminator\, brought the relics of St John to Armenia from Caesarea\, and buried them near the town of Moush\, after which the famous Monastery of St John the Baptist was built. Tradition also tells us that the head of St John the Baptist is buried underneath the Holy Altar of the Gandzasar Monastery in Artsakh. St John the Baptist remains one of the most popular saints among the Armenian faithful.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-the-beheading-of-st-john-the-baptist/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240331T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240331T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092616Z
CREATED:20240311T035143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092616Z
UID:1177-1711843200-1711843200@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commencement of Hinoonk: Eastertide
DESCRIPTION:The liturgical season of Lent prepared us for the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The fathers of the Church designated the 50 days following Easter (Hinoonk) for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Thus\, from Easter until Pentecost\, the liturgical services of the Church are indeed celebrations of the Risen Christ. \nApart from the specially designated Sundays\, two other feasts are commemorated during Hinoonk. \nThe Saturday following Easter\, the Armenian Church commemorates the Beheading of St John the Baptist (also known as the Forerunner). \nThe first 40 days end with the Feast of Ascension\, which is celebrated on the Thursday of the sixth week of Resurrection. \nDuring Hinoonk\, the Lectionary is arranged such that every day a passage is read from the Book of Acts of the Apostles to impress upon us the effect of the Resurrection of Christ on his disciples and the formation and the development of the Christian community. A passage from each Gospel is read everyday from the beginning until the Passion narratives: Luke at Matins\, John at the Divine Liturgy\, Matthew at the beginning and Mark at the end of Vespers. The Blessing of the Fields (The Four Corners of the World Antasdan) Service is offered every Sunday\, as it was on Easter Sunday. We thus continue to greet one another with the good news that:\nChrist is Risen from the Dead – Krisdos Haryav ee Merelots. \nEach of the Sundays following Easter have a special designation. \nNew Sunday\nNew Sunday or Renewal Sunday (Nor Giragi) is also called Second Easter (Grgnazadig)\, which means “Easter repeated” as it is the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to Easter in readings and hymns.\nSunday of the World Church (Green Sunday) \nThe second Sunday of Easter commemorates the first Church of Jerusalem\, established by Christ. On the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover\, Jesus instructs two of the Apostles\, Peter and John\, to go into Jerusalem and meet a man\, who would direct them to a house where Christ and His Apostles could celebrate the Passover Feast. Peter and John are led to the “Upper Room” of a house\, where they make the necessary preparations for the meal. Later that evening\, Christ and the Twelve Apostles sit together to eat supper. \nThis “Last Supper” was the event where Jesus Christ established the Sacrament of Holy Communion\, which we celebrate every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The Upper Room in Jerusalem is considered to be the first Church\, as founded by Christ. The Sunday of the World Church is also called “Green” Sunday\, which according to Archbishop Malachia Ormanian\, is the popular name of the feast and is linked with the awakening of nature in the Springtime. \nRed Sunday\nAlthough there seems to be no ecclesiastical origin or significance for Red Sunday\, the colour red recalls numerous themes within Christianity and the tradition of the Armenian Church. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that redeems and heals us\, the source of life which spilled into the ground from the Cross to give life and salvation to the entire created order.\nThe colour red also recalls the blood of the Church martyrs: those who follow the pattern of Jesus\, those men and women who demonstrated valiant faith\, unafraid to die for Jesus Christ\, confident in his words and promise to raise to new life for those who know and follow him. \nFeast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross\nThis feast is dedicated to the Apparition of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. \nSecond Palm Sunday\nThe name of the feast has been derived from Palm Sunday\, which precedes Easter. The Second Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the triumphant entry of the Ascended Christ into the Heavenly Jerusalem\, where the angels meet him with great happiness and delight. \nSecond Palm Sunday is a reminder of the hope to ascend to heaven after our deaths\, and being in the bliss of God’s presence. \nFeast of Pentecost (Hokekaloust)\nThe coming of the Holy Spirit (or Hokekaloust in Armenian) is celebrated by the Armenian Church\, as in all Christian churches\, 50 days after Easter.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commencement-of-hinoonk-eastertide/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240331T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240331T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T093309Z
CREATED:20240311T035143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T093309Z
UID:1178-1711843200-1711843200@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Easter Sunday/Zadig)
DESCRIPTION:The Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. \nThe Mystery of Easter is the mystery of Jesus Christ\, His Holy Blood was shed and His Rising from the dead was for mankind. The Son of God should incarnate\, be subjected to tortures\, be crucified\, buried and the third day raise from death (Ps 15:9-11\, 29:4\, 40:11-13\, 117:16-17\, Ho 6:2-3). \nFollowing the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ\, His body was taken off the cross and placed into the tomb and the entrance to the tomb was closed by a large stone. The soldiers were ordered to watch the entrance to the tomb. After three days\, the three women who had followed Jesus from Galilee\, Mary Magdalene\, Mary\, the Mother of James and Joseph and the wife of Zebedee\, brought spices and perfumes to anoint the body of Jesus. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb\, so they went in but they didn’t see the body of the Lord. They stood there puzzled about this\, when suddenly two angels dressed in white appeared and said to them\, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here\, he has been raised” (Lk 24:5-6). The women returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven disciples and the people. According to Peter\, more than 500 people saw Christ\, who had risen from the dead. \nChrist rose from the dead\, He destroyed Death and granted eternal life. \nI am the Resurrection and I am the Life. Whoever believes in me will live\, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (Jn 11:25). \nThe Resurrection of Christ became the basis of the Christian doctrine and faith. “If that is true\, it means that Christ has been raised from death\, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe” (1 Co 15:13-14). \nChrist died for the salvation of mankind and by His Blood took away the sin in the world\, so that we should inherit eternal life. \nOn Easter Sunday\, the Andastan Service (the blessing of the four corners of the world) is conducted in the Armenian Church\, and during Holy Mass the faithful greet each other\, conveying the great tiding: “Christ is Risen from the dead/ Kristos Haryav ee Merelotz” and receive the reply: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ/ Ornyal e Haroutyoun Kristosi” \nAt Easter we traditionally dye eggs red as a symbol of a fruitful life\, salvation and joy. St Gregory of Datev considers the egg to be the symbol of the world\, the shell of which is the sky\, the membrane is the air\, the white is the water and the yolk is the earth. Dyeing eggs red symbolises the salvation of the world by means of the Blood of Christ. \nThe Armenian Church celebrates the Easter Feast on the first Sunday following the full moon of the vernal equinox\, with 35 days moveability\, during the period from March 21 –April 26.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/feast-of-the-glorious-resurrection-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-easter-sunday-zadig/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240330T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240330T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092439Z
CREATED:20240311T035143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092439Z
UID:1176-1711756800-1711756800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Holy Saturday: Jrakalouyts
DESCRIPTION:The Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ starts on the eve and continues after midnight. \nOn Holy Saturday\, in the evening\, the Vigil Office of the Lighting of Lamps (Jrakalooyts) commences at sundown\, the entry into Easter Sunday. \nDuring this service of scripture lessons\, the faithful hear the prophecies proudly heralding Christ’s Resurrection. The crossing of the Israelites through the Red Sea\, the taking up of Elijah in the Chariot of Fire\, the story of Jonah the Prophet and the salvation of the Three \nYoung Men in the Fiery Furnace are all among those readings which foreshadow mankind’s salvation\, the victory over death and the destruction of hell brought about by Christ’s Resurrection. \nThe vigil readings give way immediately into the Vigil Divine Liturgy\, the first to be celebrated in triumphant commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection from among the dead. \nFollowing the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy\, the assembled faithful welcome each other on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ conveying the great tiding: “Christ is Risen from the dead” and receive the answer: “Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.” The faithful take lit candles home\, symbolising the Light that Christ brought into the world.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/holy-saturday-jrakalouyts/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240329T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240329T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092420Z
CREATED:20240311T035142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092420Z
UID:1175-1711670400-1711670400@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Good Friday - Avak Ourpat
DESCRIPTION:Good Friday (Holy Friday)\, commemorates Christ’s tortures\, Crucifixion\, Death and Burial. \nOn Friday morning\, Jesus\, subjected to all kinds of humiliation\, was forced personally to carry the heavy wooden cross to the heights of Golgotha. Suffering intensely\, He reached Golgotha where the Crucifixion was accomplished. By midday He was already nailed to the Cross. Fixed on it were the deriding words\, “Jesus of Nazareth\, King of the Jews.” Four Roman soldiers had carried out the sentence. Jesus’ robe fell by lot to one of them. The act conforms to Psalm 22:18\,”they divided my garments among them\, and for my raiment they cast lots.” According to Matthew 27:35\, “And when they had crucified him they divided his garments among them by casting lots.” At noon the sun darkened over. The crowd dispersed. For three hours there was utter confusion. Jesus\, having shed His blood\, had reached His end. \nThe Crucifixion Service (Gark Khachelootyan) takes place first with Psalms\, hymns and readings commemorating the crucifixion\, final hours and final sayings of Christ. The Worship of the Holy Cross is performed once again\, with everyone standing\, as there is no liturgical kneeling allowed during the daytime on Good Friday. \nJesus\, who had been crucified along with two robbers\, needed to be taken down from the Cross and buried that same day. It was against Jewish custom to conduct a burial on the Sabbath (Saturday). The soldiers tested to see if Jesus had died. One of them pierced Jesus’ side with a spear\, and blood and water flowed out. It confirmed Jesus’ death. \nThe burial was undertaken by special permission by a devout man named Joseph of Arimathea. The vault was in his own garden\, at the foot of Golgotha. Devout women of Galilee were there. The body was placed in a tomb hewn into a rock\, and a huge rock was placed at the door. On the insistence of the priests\, the governor ordered a guard to be placed at the tomb\, for three days. \nThe Burial Service (Gark Taghman) is performed late on the afternoon of Holy Friday\, this being one of the more beloved services of the Armenian people. During this service a “tomb” (or representation) is draped in black and decorated with candles and flowers\, which the faithful bring as an offering to the crucified Lord of Glory. During this service\, a very beautiful and haunting rendition of the hymn “Soorp Asdvadz” is sung. The Worship of the Cross is performed once again\, whilst kneeling. At the end of the service\, the faithful are invited to approach and venerate the tomb\, and to receive a flower. \nThe Requiem Service (Entanour Hokehankist) directly follows the Gark Taghman. \nCourtesy of “Feasts of the Armenian Church and National Traditions” by Garo Bedrosian\, 1993
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/good-friday-avak-ourpat-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240328T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240328T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092245Z
CREATED:20240311T035127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092245Z
UID:1174-1711584000-1711584000@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Holy (Maundy) Thursday - Avak Hingshapty
DESCRIPTION:The Armenian Church has three services on Maundy Thursday\, symbolising three different events in the last days of the earthly ministry of Christ. The morning service commemorates The Last Supper\, at which Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist by giving Holy Communion to His disciples. \nDuring a Passover meal\, Christ broke and distributed unleavened bread and shared the wine with His apostles\, identifying these elements as His Body and Blood. Through this sacrament\, mankind participates in the Kingdom of God.\nIn the afternoon the Washing of the Feet (Vodnleva) service takes place\, commemorating the humility and service of our Lord Jesus Christ in washing the feet of His disciples. During this service\, twelve young men beautifully portray the Apostles while the celebrant portrays Christ himself\, taking off his outer robe and washing their feet as a sign of humility and servitude. During this time also\, olive oil or butter is blessed and used for the anointing of feet. The faithful are given a portion of this oil to bring to their homes at the conclusion of the service. \nAs per the Gospel of John\, on the evening He was betrayed\, Jesus “poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet\, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him” (John 13:5).\n“When He had finished washing their feet\, He put on his clothes and returned to His place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them…. ‘Now that I\, your Lord and Teacher\, have washed your feet\, you also should wash one another’s feet’” (verses 12\, 14). \nIn the days of dusty roads and open-toed sandals\, feet often became dirty\, and it was the job of the lowest servants to wash the guests’ feet. But Jesus set an example of service by doing this job himself\, despite the protests from Peter.\nWhen Jesus said\, wash one another’s feet\, He meant\, serve one another. Jesus is saying that we should humble ourselves and be willing to do even menial tasks for one another.\nWhen we serve one another throughout the year\, helping one another with real needs\, we are obeying the spirit of the law of Christ. \nA sombre Vigil service is held in the evening\, commemorating the betrayal\, arrest\, trial and suffering of Christ. Khavaroom (Darkness) is undoubtedly the most spiritually compelling and moving of all the Armenian Church’s services. It consists of an elaborate Night Service (Keesherayeen Zham) plus the Morning Service (Aravodyan Zham)\, liturgically part of Good Friday\, but in actuality performed late on Holy Thursday.\nDuring Khavaroom\, we keep vigil along with the Apostles\, who did so while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Seven passages are read from the Gospel which reflect the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane\, the betrayal of Judas\, the commitment of Jesus to the crowd\, His standing before Annas and Caiaphas\, His being struck and mocked\, Peter’s three denials and regret. The readings from the Gospels are interspersed with the readings of psalms and the singing of hymns (sharagans) written by St. Nerses the Graceful. \nThe readings are as follows: John 13:16-18:1; Luke 22:1-65; Mark 14:27-72; Matthew 26:31-56; Matthew 26:57-75; John 18:2-27; John 18:28-19:16. \nThe service starts with thirteen candles: one large central candle\, with eleven smaller lit candles and one smaller black candle unlit. The unlit candle symbolises Judas Iscariot\, who would betray Christ that evening. Six candles sit on either side of the central candle. The thirteen candles are placed before either a cross or a painting of the Crucifixion at the center of the altar. Following each Gospel lesson\, the candles are extinguished two by two. A single candle is left to remind us of Christ’s singular presence in the darkness and the fact that Jesus was left alone to die on the cross. The faithful listen to each Gospel reading\, usually on their feet. In some Armenian Church communities\, the faithful tie seven hitch knots on a white thread\, one for each Gospel reading. After the service\, they tie it on their wrist and keep them tied for forty days until Christ’s ascension. \nAfter the Bible readings\, the final candle and all the lights of the church are extinguished and “Glory to God in the Highest” (Park ee Partsoons) is sung. In some places\, the clergy then chant Der Voghormia forty times in a particular plaintive tone. While not mentioned in the rubrics for the Khavaroom service\, the beautiful hymn “Where are you\, my mother?” (Oor es Mayr Im) is often sung after Park ee Partsoons\, whilst the church is still dark. \nAt the conclusion of the service\, the Worship of the Holy Cross (Khachi Ko Krisdos Yergirbakanemk) is conducted.\nTraditionally\, Armenians have always attended Khavaroom in large numbers. In many places throughout the world\, this important vigil service can be of great length\, lasting into the late hours of the night and thus for practical purposes\, it has been condensed to a more suitable length. \nHoly Thursday is beyond a doubt the longest and weightiest liturgical day of the year\, one very close to the hearts of the Armenian people throughout the centuries. The service of Maundy Thursday prepares us to remember the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord on Good Friday.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/holy-maundy-thursday-avak-hingshapty/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240327T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240327T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092321Z
CREATED:20240311T035127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092321Z
UID:1173-1711497600-1711497600@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Holy Wednesday
DESCRIPTION:Holy Wednesday commemorates the anointing of Jesus Christ by a woman in Bethany and the Betrayal of Christ. \nIn the Gospel of St. Matthew\, we learn that while Jesus was dining with his Apostles in Bethany\, in the home of Simon the leper\, a woman came in with an alabaster jar filled with valuable perfume. She opened the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples witnessing this act become upset\, as the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds could have been given to the poor. Jesus hearing their displeasure said\, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you; but me you do not always have me.” The woman’s actions foreshadowed His preparation for burial. “For in that she has poured this ointment on my body\, she did it for my burial\,” said Christ (Mt 26:6-13). \nFollowing this we learn that one of the Twelve\, who was called Judas Iscariot\, went to the high priests and inquired\, “What are you willing to give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They offered him 30 pieces of silver\, and from then on he began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Mt 26:14-16). \nOn Holy Wednesday we thus remember two contrasting lessons; the betrayal of Jesus and the worshipful anointing of Jesus to show love and respect for Him. Examining our lives and comparing them with the two types of contrasting acts\, the church asks “What are you doing as a child of God? Are you betraying your Lord with your actions or are you faithfully and lovingly worshipping Him?”
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/holy-wednesday-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240326T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240326T000000
DTSTAMP:20240325T092306Z
CREATED:20240311T035127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T092306Z
UID:1172-1711411200-1711411200@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Holy Tuesday
DESCRIPTION:On Holy Tuesday we read the story of the ten maidens (virgins)\, five of whom were wise enough to bring extra oil for their lamps while they were waiting for the bridegroom to come and take them to a wedding feast. Five foolish maids did not bring extra oil\, and while they went out to buy more\, the bridegroom arrived and took the five wise maids into the wedding banquet with him. \nIn this parable\, Jesus describes the Heavenly Kingdom as being like the ten maidens waiting with trimmed lanterns for a bridegroom\, five being wise and five being foolish. \nThis parable conveys the message of the last Judgment and appeals to us that we must always be ready and prepared for the coming of Christ.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/holy-tuesday-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240325T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240325T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035127Z
CREATED:20240311T035127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035127Z
UID:1171-1711324800-1711324800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Holy Monday
DESCRIPTION:On Holy Monday\, the scriptures help us remember the story of Creation\, of man’s fall into sinfulness as well as the story of the barren fig tree\, which Christ dried up because it bore no fruit.\nThe Gospel readings tell us about the story of the “cursed fig tree.” Jesus was going from Bethany to Jerusalem. He was hungry and saw a fig tree by the side of the road and went to it\, but found nothing on it except leaves. So He said to the tree\, “You will never again bear fruit!” At once the fig tree dried up. The disciples saw this and were astounded. “How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?” they asked. Jesus answered\, “If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Mt 21:22).\nOn this day\, the faithful are invited to remember the lesson that we are created in the image of God\, and we are called to examine our inner selves and with clean hearts and thoughts to renew our faithfulness and transform our lives and bear the fruits of virtue.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/holy-monday-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240324T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240324T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035127Z
CREATED:20240311T035127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035127Z
UID:1170-1711238400-1711238400@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Palm Sunday: Dzaghgazart and Trnpatsek
DESCRIPTION:Palm Sunday is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy\, when the altar curtain reopens\, after being closed for the period of Lent.\nThe celebration marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as he rode on a donkey. Crowds gathered to greet him spreading cloaks and branches before him\, shouting “Hosanna in the highest” to welcome the long awaited Messiah.\nFollowing the Divine Liturgy\, the Trnpatsek ceremony (Opening of the Doors) takes place.\nThe story of Palm Sunday itself is going through a door\, as Jesus enters Jerusalem. In the Armenian Church\, it’s also the doorway to Holy Week. The door is the vivid central image of Trnpatsek. This ceremony involves two voices\, the priest and the deacon\, each positioned on either side of the door (or the closed altar curtain).\nThe deacon\, is outside\, kneeling in front of the door or curtain as he pleads on behalf of the faithful for the Lord to open His Kingdom to us.\nThe priest\, who is positioned behind the door\, inside the church or near the altar\, represent the voice of Jesus Christ\, guarding the gates of the Kingdom.\nThe service commences with the words “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. From the Lord’s house\, we praise You!” These words are from the book of Psalms. The crowds of Jerusalem shouted them at Jesus when he entered the city on the first Palm Sunday.\n“Confess the Lord\, for He is good; His mercy will last forever. Out of my distress I called on the Lord\, but with the Lord on my side\, I have no fear. The Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my Salvation. Open to me this door of righteousness\, that I may enter through it and confess the Lord.”\nAs the deacon is speaking for us\, the faithful can join their voices with the deacon’s sharagan “Grant us vigilance…let the door of the mercy of the heavenly bridegroom be opened to us. You are my hope\, O Lord…make me worthy of Your Holy Kingdom.” It’s at this point we hear the knock at the door as the deacon knocks three times. If the deacon is kneeling before the altar curtain\, he strikes a wooden plank. All the while he chants the beautiful melody “Pats Mez Der” (Open for Us\, Lord). “Open for us\, Lord\, the door of mercy\, we cry to You lamenting.”\nNow\, from the other side of the door or curtain\, we hear the priest\, the voice of Christ calling to us “Come O blessed of My Father\, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.” It’s the answer all the faithful have been praying for. The doors open\, the faithful enter the church and with spiritual joy we sing\, “Open the doors of righteousness for me; Let me enter and confess the Lord.”\nTrnpatsek points us to the true door and brings to life the words of Christ “I am the door; if anyone enters by Me\, he will be saved.”\nPalm Sunday is also proclaimed Children’s Blessing Day in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Traditionally\, children come to Church with their families dressed in their Sunday best to partake in Holy Mass and a special blessing service before the altar. At the conclusion of the Church service\, a procession is led outside the Church\, by the celebrant\, with the children holding decorated candles.\nOn Palm Sunday\, churches are decorated with branches from willow trees and palm trees.  Following a solemn morning service\, the blessed branches are distributed to the faithful.\nThe triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem introduces the historical events leading up to Christ’s betrayal\, crucifixion and resurrection. Together with Lazarus Saturday\, the day before\, it also commences the dense liturgical time of Holy Week. With joyous shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” the residents of Jerusalem greeted Jesus\, telling those who were unsure of what was happing\, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”\nJesus\, Himself greeted as a prophet\, was also the fulfillment and culmination of prophecies. This fulfillment is in part why we celebrate the Resurrection of Lazarus the week before Easter. Just like Jonah\, who was in the belly of the great fish for three days\, was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ Resurrection\, so the resurrection of Lazarus anticipates the Resurrection of Christ\, which all Christians celebrate on Easter.\nPalm Sunday reminds each of us about the Coming of Christ\, and teaches us to live in a manner that can make us worthy to stand before the Lord and exclaim: “Hosanna (Praise God)! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/palm-sunday-dzaghgazart-and-trnpatsek-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240323T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240323T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035114Z
CREATED:20240311T035114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035114Z
UID:1169-1711152000-1711152000@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Lazarus Saturday
DESCRIPTION:On the 41st day of the period of Great Lent\, the Armenian Church commemorates Lazarus being raised from the dead.\nIn the Armenian Church\, Holy Week (Avak Shapat) begins not on Palm Sunday\, but on Lazarus Saturday\, the day before Palm Sunday. It is not a fasting day or a saints’ day\, even though Lazarus is a saint in the Armenian Church. It is a dominical day on which daily services\, including Badarak\, are celebrated.\nThe story of the raising of Lazarus\, the last event prior to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday\, properly initiates Holy Week and sets the theme of Zadig (Easter)\, and it is Easter that sets the theme for our lives.\nThe Gospel according to St. John (Jn 11:11-46) relates the story. Lazarus was from a family loved by Jesus Christ. He was the brother of Mary and Martha\, who often received Jesus. Lazarus died after succumbing to an illness. Upon hearing that His friend has died\, Christ went to visit the family\, and said to Martha\, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me will live\, even though he dies…”\nChrist asks Martha if she believes this\, to which she replies\, “Yes\, Lord.  I do believe that you are the Messiah\, who was to come into the world.” Christ\, standing before the grave\, commands Lazarus to come forth\, and he appears\, being restored to life. By doing so\, Christ proves that He is\, in fact\, “Life and Resurrection”.\nThe Gospel story telling about the raising of Lazarus contains the passage: “Jesus wept.” The Jews\, seeing Jesus expressing grief\, said: “See how much he loved him!”\nThe raising of Lazarus is an example of the coming resurrection of all those who have fallen asleep in Christ. The weeping of Jesus demonstrates His great love towards mankind.\nIt is not the story of the person of Lazarus that draws the attention for Armenian Christians\, rather what it tells us about Jesus Christ\, the Caller to Life\, and the temporary chapter that is death. Jesus has conquered death\, and shares with us his resurrection of life (see Romans 8:11\, I Peter 1:3).\n“In His humanity Jesus wept for Lazarus; in His divinity he raised him from the dead.” Pope Leo I
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/lazarus-saturday/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240317T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240317T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035114Z
CREATED:20240311T035114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035114Z
UID:1168-1710633600-1710633600@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Sunday of Advent
DESCRIPTION:The Sixth Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of Advent. This Sunday teaches us about the first Advent of Christ – His Incarnation: His Holy Birth when God became Man. This proved the Truth found in the Scriptures that by the coming of the Saviour\, a second chance was given to mankind to be guided on the path leading towards salvation.\nThis Sunday also symbolises the Second Advent. In the Gospels and Apostolic Letters there are many references dedicated to the Second Advent\, where our Lord warns us about His return. In the Gospel of St. Matthew\, Christ says\, “…Watch out and do not let anyone fool you. Many men\, claiming to speak for me\, will come and say\, “I am the Messiah!” and they will fool many people. You are going to hear the noise of battles close by and the news of battles far away… Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. There will be famines and earthquakes everywhere… And you will be hated by all nations for my Name’s sake… Many false prophets will appear and fool many people. Such will be the spread of evil that many people’s love will grow cold. But whoever holds out to the end will be saved” (Mt 24:4-13).\nThe message of this Sunday is a call for endurance\, piety and modesty. Through these we can patiently wait for the Glorious Resurrection of Christ\, the purification of our souls and the triumph of the True Faith. All Christian Churches celebrate the feast of the Sunday of Advent.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/sunday-of-advent/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240316T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240316T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035114Z
CREATED:20240311T035114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035114Z
UID:1167-1710547200-1710547200@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s torments and commitment to the pit
DESCRIPTION:This feast is the first one among the three commemoration days dedicated to the memory of St. Gregory the Illuminator\, the first Catholicos of All Armenians. According to the Armenian Church Calendar\, it is celebrated on the eve of the Fifth Sunday during the period of Great Lent. The feast is dedicated to the torments which St. Gregory suffered during his imprisonment.\nAccording to historical sources\, St. Gregory the Illuminator was the son of Anak Partev\, a knight and nobleman\, who killed the Armenian King Khosrov Arshakouni. In retaliation\, Anak is executed by the Armenians. His son\, Gregory\, lived and studied in Caesarea\, and was brought up as a pious Christian. Gregory returned to Armenia as an adult and became a member of the royal court. King Tiridates (Trdat)\, the son of King Khosrov and heir to the throne\, appointed Gregory as the Chancellor of the Armenian Kingdom. Tiridates\, learning that Gregory is a Christian and the son of Anak\, subjected him to severe tortures and committed Gregory to death\, by imprisoning him in a deep underground pit.\nIn 301 A.D.\, after spending 13 years in the pit\, St. Gregory the Illuminator was freed from the dungeon and emerged to spread the Light of Christ in Armenia. He thus became the first pontiff of the Armenian Church\, baptised the royal family\, and evangelised the whole of the Armenian Nation.\nArmenia became the first nation in the world to officially proclaim Christianity as her state religion.\nSt. Gregory the Illuminator is recognised by all of Christendom as a Saint and he is commemorated in all traditional Christian Churches.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-st-gregory-the-illuminators-torments-and-commitment-to-the-pit/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240310T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240310T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035114Z
CREATED:20240311T035114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035114Z
UID:1166-1710028800-1710028800@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Sunday of The Judge
DESCRIPTION:The fifth Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Judge. The message of the day teaches us the parable of the widow and the Judge. This parable comes to us in the Gospel of St. Luke (Luke 18:1-8).\nThe parable tells the story of a widow who repeatedly comes to a judge\, who neither feared God nor respected man\, and pled for her rights. For a long period of time the judge refused to act\, but in the end\, he fulfilled her request\, to put an end to her continuous appeals. Otherwise\, he feared that she would continue to return indefinitely.\nAfter telling this parable\, the Lord assures everyone\, that if a man as corrupt and unfair as this judge decided in favour of the widow\, then God surely would judge in favour of his own people and grant the requests of all those who submit to Him through prayer. This parable exhorts us to always and continually pray\, as prayer symbolises the soul’s eternal striving and thirst for God.\nThe parable also contains an appeal from Christ. After telling the parable\, Christ says: “But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when He comes?” In His words\, Jesus gives a reference to the Second Coming and sadness and anguish are felt in the Lord’s remark. It is truly painful for the Saviour that many people may be subject to just\, yet cruel judgment\, instead of becoming the inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/sunday-of-the-judge/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240309T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240309T000000
DTSTAMP:20240311T035113Z
CREATED:20240311T035113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T035113Z
UID:1165-1709942400-1709942400@armenianchurchmelb.com.au
SUMMARY:Commemoration of the Forty Holy Martyrs (Karasoun Mangounk)
DESCRIPTION:Karasoun Mangounk (Forty Martyrs of Sebastia)\nDuring the 4th century\, the period when Christianity began to spread\, conflicts still arose between those who boldly embraced their new faith and those pagan emperors who persecuted them. The Holy Martyrs of Sebastia\, according to legend\, were a group of exceptionally brave soldiers who came from families of nobility and stood firm in their Christian faith. They formed a part of the Roman army and served in the regions of Cappadocia. It is said that they came from various cities of Lesser Armenia (Pokhr Haik)\, and that some of them were assumed to be Armenian.\nWhen the pagan Licinius ruled the eastern half of the Roman Empire (307-323 AD)\, it was his evil intent to eliminate Christianity from the lands under his control\, and especially\, for fear of treason\, among the troops. One of his supporters was a cruel man by the name of Agricola who commanded the forces in the Armenian town of Sebastia\, in what is now eastern Turkey. Among his soldiers were forty devout Christians who wielded equally well the sword of battle and the sword of the spirit\, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). These men formed an elite bodyguard. When it came to Agricola’s attention that they were Christians\, he was determined to force them to renounce their faith and bow down to the pagan gods. He gave them two alternatives:\n“Either offer sacrifice to the gods and earn great honours or\, in the event of your disobedience\, be stripped of your military rank and fall into disgrace.”\nThe soldiers were thrown into jail to think this over. That night they strengthened themselves singing psalms and praying. At midnight they were filled with holy fear upon hearing the voice of the Lord: “Good is the beginning of your resolve\, but he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22 ).\nThe next morning Agrricola summoned them once again. This time he tried to persuade them with flattering words\, praising their valour and their handsomeness. When the soldiers remained unmoved\, they were again thrown into prison for a week to await the arrival of Licius\, a prince of some authority.\nDuring this time they prepared themselves for the trial of martyrdom. One of them\, Cyrion by name\, exhorted his fellow soldiers:\n“God so ordained that we made friends with each other in this temporary life; let us try not to separate even in eternity; just as we have been found pleasing to a mortal king\, so let us strive to be worthy of the favour of the immortal King\, Christ our God.”\nCyrion reminded his comrades-in-arms how God had miraculously helped them in time of battle and assured them that He would not forsake them now in their battle against the invisible enemy. When Licius arrived\, the soldiers marched to their interrogation singing the psalm\, “O God\, in Thy name save me” (Ps. 53)\, as they always did when entering upon the field of contest.\nLicius repeated Agricola’s arguments of persuasion\, alternating between threats and flattery. When he saw that words were of no avail\, he ordered the soldiers to be sent to jail while he thought up a form of torture to change their minds.\nAfter prayers that night\, for a second time the soldiers heard the voice of the Lord:\n“He who believes in Me\, though he die\, yet shall he live. Be bold and have no fear of short lived torment which soon passes; endure…that you may receive crowns.”\nThe next day the soldiers were led to a lake. It was winter and a frosty wind was blowing. The soldiers were stripped of their clothes and ordered to stand through the night in the freezing waters. A guard was set to watch over them. In order to tempt the holy warriors of Christ\, warm baths were set up on the side of the lake. Anyone who agreed to sacrifice to the idols could flee the bitterly cold waters and warm his frozen bones in the baths. This was a great temptation\, which in the first cruel hour of the night\, overpowered one of the soldiers. Scarcely had he reached the baths\, however\, when he dropped to the ground and died.\nSeeing this\, the rest of the soldiers prayed even more earnestly to God: “Help us\, O God our Saviour\, for here we stand in the water and our feet are stained with our blood; ease the burden of our oppression and tame the cruelty of the air; O Lord our God\, on Thee do we hope\, let us not be ashamed\, but let all understand that we who call upon Thee have been saved.”\nTheir prayer was heard. In the third hour of the night a warm light bathed the holy martyrs and melted the ice. By this time all but one of the guards had fallen asleep. The guard who was still awake had been amazed to witness the death of the soldier who had fled to the baths and to see that those in the water were still alive. Now\, seeing this extraordinary light\, he glanced upward to see where it came from and saw thirty-nine radiant crowns descending onto the heads of the saints\, immediately\, his heart was enlightened by the knowledge of the Truth. He roused the sleeping guards and\, throwing off his clothes\, ran into the lake shouting for all to hear\, “I am a Christian too!” His name was Aglaius\, and he brought the number of martyrs once again to forty.\nThe next morning the evil judges came to the lake and were enraged to find that not only were the captives still alive\, but that one of the guards had joined them. The martyrs were then taken back to prison and subjected to torture; the bones of their legs were crushed by sledge-hammers. The mother of one of the youngest\, Meliton\, stood by and encouraged them to endure this trial. To their last breath the martyrs sang out\, “Our help is in the name of the Lord\,” and they all gave up their souls to God. Only Meliton remained alive\, though barely breathing.\nTaking her dying son upon her shoulders\, the mother followed the cart on which the bodies of the soldiers were being taken to be burned. When her son at last gave up his soul\, she placed him on the cart with his fellow brothers of Christ.\nThe funeral pyre burned out leaving only the martyrs’ bones. Knowing that Christians would collect these relics to the eternal glory of the martyrs and their God\, the judges ordered them to be thrown into the nearby river. That night\, however\, the holy martyrs appeared to the blessed bishop of Sebastia and told him to recover the bones from the river. Together with some of his clergy\, the bishop went secretly that night to the river where the bones of the martyrs shone like stars in the water\, enabling them to be collected to the very last fragment.\nThe memory of the holy martyrs shine like stars in the world\, encouraging and inspiring believers everywhere to be faithful to Christ even to the end.\nThus they finished the good course of martyrdom in 320\, and their names are: Acacius\, Aetius\, Aglaius\, Alexander\, Angus\, Athanasius\, Candidus\, Chudion\, Claudius\, Cyril\, Cyrion\, Dometian\, Domnus\, Ecdicius\, Elias\, Eunoicus\, Eutyches\, Eutychius\, Flavius\, Gaius\, Gorgonius\, Helianus\, Herachus\, Hesychius\, John\, Lysimachus\, Meliton\, Nicholas\, Philoctemon\, Priscus\, Sacerdon\, Severian\, Sisinius\, Smaragdus\, Theodulus\, Theophilus\, Valens\, Valerius\, Vivianus\, and Xanthias.\nRef: fortymartyrs.org
URL:https://armenianchurchmelb.com.au/event/commemoration-of-the-forty-holy-martyrs-karasoun-mangounk/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR