What is the fourth Major Feast Day on the Armenian Church Calendar?
Each year on the Sunday closest to the date of August 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of St Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the Church Calendar, this is the fourth of five major feasts that are commemorated, and is the oldest one dedicated to St Mary.
The Birth Giver of Christ “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” - Luke 1:26-28
A number of ordinary women were shaped by God to become extraordinary women in the Scriptures. Mary, chosen by God to be the singular instrument through which He would bring the Messiah into the world, stands out above all the others as the most blessed, most highly favoured.
On Sunday 16 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God will be marked in the Armenian Apostolic Church which commemorates how St Mary at her death was taken up in body and soul, or “assumed” into heaven.
The explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4 has not only shocked Lebanon but the whole world.
His Eminence Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian has today announced that on Sunday 9 August, prayers will be held in all the churches of our Diocese for the speedy recovery of the wounded and the restoration of Lebanon, as well as for the souls of all the Armenians who perished.
With a reported total of 135 victims so far, more than 5,000 injured, with rubble everywhere, the Armenians of Lebanon have also been left devastated by this tragedy with 11 Armenian deaths, about 250 wounded, churches, national institutions, schools and more than 1,000 apartments damaged.
We pray to God to keep the stronghold of the Armenians in Lebanon safe, to grant wisdom and health to the Armenian leadership, so they may lead our beloved people in these difficult days.
CHURCH NEWS
New NSW Government Recommendations
Due to the latest health advice from the office of NSW Premier the Hon Gladys Berejiklian, the NSW Government is encouraging the use of facemasks in public settings which includes places of worship. Whilst wearing a mask is not mandatory it is highly recommended to curb the possibility of community transmission.
We, at the Church of Holy Resurrection, ensure abiding by the Government’s directives with all the measures that are in place as a COVID Safe organisation.
We therefore kindly ask our parishioners to help us in this endeavour during their attendance at church services.
The events that unfolded last month on Armenia’s border with the military attack by Azerbaijani forces targeting the town of Tavush and its surrounding villages, have left us all concerned for our homeland, the families who have been affected and the devastation caused to the town.
Last week, the Church of Holy Resurrection commenced a fundraising effort to extend our help through the Diocese of Tavush. United in God’s light, your support in this compassionate outreach will be an expression of care and concern for the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Tavush.
Donations, no matter how large or small can be made by:
calling the church office on 9419-8056 for credit card payments and to make pledges
bank transfer to Armenian Church Council of Aust. in NSW - BSB 032297 - Account Number 323236
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian, ACYA in collaboration with the artistic directorship of Marianna Poghosyan will present a virtual showcase ‘Songs for our Soldiers’ with a line-up of our Armenian community talent including Masha Mnjoyan, winner of The Voice Armenia in 2013 and most recently a semi-finalist in The Voice Australia 2020. The event is dedicated in support of the brave men and women who are fighting valiantly on our frontlines in Tavush.
The Virtual Concert can be viewed this Sunday 9 August at 6.00 p.m. (EST) on the Facebook pages of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection and ACYA Sydney.
All proceeds raised through your donations will assist with restoration of the town, support the families of the region and the fallen soldiers.
Your Gift Giving Will Support Armenia
Consider gifting an authentic Armenian doll or tri-colour soccer ball to a young girl or boy for a birthday or special occasion and help a needy family in Armenia. Keeping this in mind, we introduce “Nairi”, the latest project of Mrs Tina Djoulfayan, who is also known to our community as the creative mind behind Hye Stories, authoring children’s books in Eastern and Western Armenian.
As someone who has experienced first-hand the bitter taste of civil war in Lebanon, Mrs Djoulfayan understands the financial and emotional pressures people face living in a country at war. Her distinct empathy and patriotism to our homeland has led to this second project of the ‘Nairi’ doll and tri-colour soccer with all proceeds, along with her books, to be donated to needy families in Armenia through the Church of Holy Resurrection.
All these products can be purchased from the Church Office and online from the Hye Stories website.
YOUTH NEWS
ACYA Bible Study & Fellowship
Regular Bible study sessions organised by our Armenian Church Youth with Archbishop Najarian are helping them to personally grow deeper in their understanding of life principles as Christ preached, lived and demonstrated throughout his ministry and the effect they have on our lives today.
Last Sunday, some 20 youth joined in person at the Diocesan Centre and over the Zoom platform to study Jesus' teachings and the controversy with the Jewish authorities reading passages from the Gospels of Mark and John. The topics of keeping the Sabbath, paying taxes, the adulterous woman, Christ's authority and resurrection led to an interesting discussion of how the teachings play out in our society and Church today with opinions expressed on contentious issues like divorce from a secular and Christian viewpoint.
ACYA organises Bible study sessions regularly with Archbishop Najarian and welcomes youth from our community to join in. They are a great opportunity to come together for learning, sharing thoughts and fellowship. For the next meeting, keep an eye out on the ACYA Sydney Facebook page, Instagram page or drop ACYA an email at acya.sydney.aus@gmail.com
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
MESSAGE OF FAITH
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."
2 Peter 1:5-7
Our Virtues Define Our Character
Think of someone you admire as a person of integrity and goodness. It's likely your measure of admiration is based on the virtues of their character.
A virtue is a power or habit that enables us to live a good life: a firm disposition to do good. Virtues are strengthened by repeated actions, guided in the light of faith and reason.
The virtues that define the Christian character are clearly inscribed in God's Word whether it is through Jesus' example, his teachings or instruments of piety like the Holy Mother of God or our Holy Saints.
Faith, love, charity, honesty, trust, kindness, hope, responsibility, compassion, prudence are all virtues that Jesus preached about which remain the same virtues that need to shape our Christian character today.
As Christians, we should revive these virtues in our lives through introspection to keep our characters in shape and lead by example.
