“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, (which means, God with us).” Matthew 1:23; IS 7:14
To our faithful people, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this festive season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, please accept on behalf of our Clergy, Diocesan and Parish Councils our heartfelt congratulations and good wishes to you and to your loved ones.
Through the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, salvation became possible for humanity. Since then throughout our history the Lord was always with us.
May your Christ worthy life shine and lead your children and grandchildren in the right direction, and may our prayers and supplications reach our Lord, and may the baby Jesus dwell in our hearts with His innocence and His eternal message of peace and love.
CHRIST IS BORN AND REVEALED
BLESSED IS THE REVELATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian
Primate
Click here to read the full text of the Primate's Message in English
Click hereto read the Primate's Message in Armenian
Upcoming Feasts
6 January - Feast of the Holy Nativity &Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
13 January - Feast of the Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ
On June 23, 2019, on the auspicious occasion of the Feast of the Catholic Church of Holy Etchmiadzin, the worldwide dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church, launched the Etchmiadzin Cathedral Reconstruction Campaign.
The campaign pursues two objectives: raising funds to ensure the structural longevity of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral for generations to come and further fortifying the spiritual connection of the Armenian community with the Holy See by raising awareness of its role and significance in Armenian life.
This week, our Primate His Eminence Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian officially launched the Australia-wide Appeal with his Message addressed to the Community to address our respopnsibility. He announced that His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Chairman of the Restoration Committee of Holy Etchmiadzin and Primate of the Western Diocese of America will visit Sydney from February 28 to raise donations from our Community.
For some years now, the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin has been undergoing a mammoth restoration effort to preserve and protect the precious Mother Cathedral of the worldwide Armenian Church.
Specialists from Italy, at the request of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, reviewed the structural integrity of the cathedral in 2012 and made plans for its repair and protection from seismic activity. Phases of the project have reinforced and refurbished some of the famous features of the cathedral, including the southern bell tower, the main dome, and the great cross that stands atop the highest point of the structure.
Whilst there have been restoration efforts over the centuries under several supreme patriarchs, the current effort under Catholicos Karekin II is the most comprehensive ever undertaken, which aims to fortify the structure for centuries to come. .
Click to watch the latest short video on the restoration, released this week by the Mother See (in Armenian)
CHURCH NEWS
St Nerses Shnorhali Medal Bestowed
A heart to serve, a devotion to worship with his gifted voice, and a willingness to lead others to do the same, Deacon Vartan Elmasian was recognised for his 40 years of service to the Armenian Church by His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians with an Encyclical bestowing upon him the Nerses Shnorhali Medal.
During Sunday's church service on the Commemoration of St Stephen the Protomartyr, Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian commended all the deacons of the Holy Resurrection Church and reflected on the fine example of Deacon Vartan on his past, present and future service to the church. With his majestic voice, Deacon Vartan’s presence is felt in the church every Sunday either serving afore the Holy Altar or leading the Lousavorich and Karasoun Mangounk choirs as the choirmaster.
A private gathering followed after church in the Diocesan Centre attended by the diaconate, the Elmasian family and choir members. Words of gratitude and appreciation were expressed by Deacon Vartan, his wife Susan, and chairperson of the Loosavorich Choir committee Mrs Marta Narinli.
CHRISTMAS EVENTS @ CHR
Carols on the Lawns
Under a starry, clear lit night the annual Carols evening was held on Thursday 5 December with a well-attended number comfortably nestled on the church lawns. A program of Bible readings Christmas songs, New Year poetry and dance by Sunday school students entertained the crowd who from time to time joined in the singing. The evening also featured a solo by Mariana Poghosyan, the Sunday school singing and dance teacher, and members of the ACYA Choir who performed two favourite carols. Everyone embraced the beautiful effort of the young children who from the youngest aged 4 years old to the oldest sang their hearts away. Parents, grandparents, families and onlookers soaked up the atmosphere with the festive Christmas lights, decorations and of course, a visit from Santa Claus which lifted the Christmas spirits to yet another level.
Armenian School Students Visit
The Christmas spirit at Holy Resurrection Church did not start at the Carols but on Friday 29 November when students of Hamazkaine Galstaun College entertained our seniors at the Armenian Community Welfare Centre luncheon. Similarly on the following Friday, AGBU Alexander School students presented a colourful and festive program which set the mood for Santa’s visits over and over again.
Holy Mass at Alexander Rest Home
On Saturday 7 December, Reverend Fathers Norayr Patanian, Bartev Karakashian Avetis Hambardzumyan, deacons and acolytes celebrated Holy Mass with the residents of the Alexander Armenian Rest Home. Father Norayr as the celebrant gave the sermon, offered Holy Communion and blessed the elderly residents. Following Holy Mass, a requiem service was conducted for the departed souls of benefactors and residents of the facility.
The Reverend Fathers of Holy Resurrection visit the aged care home individually throughout the year conducting monthly services. The December visit is special however as they come together to celebrate the holy season ahead with the residents and staff.
YOUTH NEWS
ACYA Carolling @ Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
In the spirit of Christmas, a group of ACYA members together with Father Avetis Hambardzumyan visited the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse last Wednesday to sing a few Christmas Carols in Armenian and English.
As a world renowned centre offering all the services a cancer patient may need under one roof, the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse was chosen by the ACYA team, sensitive to dear members within the Holy Resurrection Church community that have been affected by cancer. As Tatiana Bedikian expressed, “While the visit was challenging for the youth, it was most definitely a rewarding experience. How thankful we were to share the festive spirit of Christmas to those at the Lifehouse. We hope that our voices travelled throughout - into the rooms, theatres, the clinics and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those individuals and their families over this festive season.”
By their actions, the youth demonstrated the profound message of Christmas that it is a time of giving with love – giving of themselves with their time, talent and treasure.
NEW YEAR & CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
PRAYER OF THANKS POMEGRANATE BLESSING ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
On 1 January, the Pomegranate blessing service will be held in the Church of Holy Resurrection at noon following the Divine Liturgy and Pontifical Prayer.
In Christian symoblism, the pomegranate represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ, also symbolising the Lord's Glorious Resurrection and the diversity of God's graces. In the Armenian Church, the pomegranate also depicts like its seeds, the numerous and various Church members, covered with a solid outer layer, being united into one Church.
PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED TO DONATE POMEGRANATES TO THE CHURCH OFFICE FROM 29 DECEMBER TO THE MORNING OF 1 JANUARY BEFORE THE DIVINE LITURGY COMMENCES
BLESSING OF THE GRAPES
26 January 2020
Following the Divine Liturgy on the church lawns
Parishioners are invited to contribute grapes, a sacred practice carried out with faith and reverence.
To do so, please contact the church office on 9419-8056 to register the donation and to assist with distribution we request grapes are prepared and delivered in small individual bags.
MESSAGE OF FAITH
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12
Hope When All is Lost
Have you noticed how around Christmas time disasters of nature occur somewhere in the world?
With the devastating bushfires in NSW and other states these past weeks, lives have been severely affected with loss of homes, property and sadly loved ones. It's difficult to imagine how hope can be found amidst a time when all seems hopeless for these families.
Whatever tragedies or difficulties we face in life, the message of Christmas brings with it all the hope we will ever need, if we are open and willing to receive it.
The hope of the long awaited Messiah was fulfilled with the baby in the manger who is at the centre of Christmas. The hope of forgiveness and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father was accomplished with Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The hope of God's ultimate purpose for mankind, despite the calamities and suffering we see now, shows we understand God's merciful way of relating to His people.
True hope can only be found when we have unshakable faith in God and confidence in His promises.
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY WELFARE CENTRE
We wish our e-news readers a blessed Christmas season and New Year.
Please join us for our Christmas services in January so together we can rejoice in the birth of our Saviour with the greeting:
Christ is born and revealed,
Blessed is the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
