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STANDING TOGETHER WITH OUR  SOLDIERS
Our Prayers are the Greatest Weapon of All

"And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" - Joel 2:32

Every Armenian has been affected by the conflict in Artsakh, a scaled out war, no longer a territorial war but a war on our people, our nation, our faith and our Armenian identity.

A peace-loving people of faith, together, worldwide we have turned to prayer in our churches and in our homes since 27 September.

This week Shoghagat TV released this video of Deacon Hrayr who served as a chaplain with the Armenian soldiers on the frontline. Surviving to tell his story from his hospital bed, his moving description of the soldiers faith and prayers can only be inspiring that prayer is indeed our greatest weapon and faith our shield of protection.
A reminder that with our soldiers are our chaplains
who are supporting their spirits and fighting together
on the frontline
       Upcoming Feasts
  • 10 October -  Feast of the Holy Translators
  • 17 October - Fest of the Evangelists: Sts Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
  • 25 October - Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
  • 31 October - Feast of All Saints, the Old & the New, the Known & the Unknown
        Read the Latest Newsletter
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LOOYCE by contacting the Church office

 
          Visit the Church Website at:
           www.armenianchurchsydney.org.au
FROM THE MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
Pontifical Call to Worldwide Dioceses

The Supreme Spiritual Council convened its meeting last week, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The meeting focused on the steps to be taken by the Mother See and the dioceses to support the people of Artsakh and the Armenian army.

From the media release, we learned that several priests of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and clergymen serving in the dioceses were already in Artsakh for voluntary service. Instructions were also given concerning the pastoral service towards the families of killed soldiers.

In support of Artsakh, the Supreme Spiritual Council decided to transfer half a million US dollars from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin through its means to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

The Pontifical call extended to the Armenian dioceses and communities throughout the world to support Artsakh and our Armenian soldiers.
Nationwide Prayer Service for Artsakh

On 3 October, in the St Gayane Monastery of the Mother See under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a nationwide Prayer Service was offered in support of Artsakh and its patriotic defenders.

In his Pontifical message to all Armenians, His Holiness stated, “Beloved, victory is determined by the strength of spirit and courage as well as by the invincible faith with which our people have always been strong; crowning their liberation struggles with glorious victory at crucial moments.” He reflected on the resolute devotion and courage of our forefathers and similarly today, we are forced to fight for peace.

He concluded by exhorting his message, “dear sons and daughters in our homeland and all over the world, to remain strong with patriotism, with unwavering and courageous spirit, and to move towards victory with joint efforts and deeds. We must defend our homeland together, strengthen our independent statehood, and entrust a safe and peaceful country to our generations to come.
May God's protection and guardianship remain with our people and homeland.”
 
For media releases from the Mother See visit www.armenianchurch.org
DIOCESAN NEWS
Primate's Message

His Eminence Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian has called upon our faithful to support our soldiers prayerfully, morally and financially.

As the Armenian Church was about to celebrate the second Feast of the Holy Cross, the Cross of Varak, news broke of the war and now in its twelfth day, our persistence to support in the spirit of our fighting soldiers must remain stronger than ever.

In his message, Archbishop Haigazoun petitions, “May God bless our invincible army, commanders and soldiers. May our brothers and sisters live freely and peacefully in Armenia and Artsakh. Our prayer is that both the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh grow and prosper, and for the relentless care of our Diaspora Armenians towards their brothers and sisters.”

This is the hope and petition of every Armenian today as we pray for peace and stability to finally reign.

 
Read the
Primate's Message in Armenian
Read the
Primate's Message in English
Diocese’s Artsakh Appeal

It has been humbling to see the outpouring of generosity in all spheres of our community and the resolute position of our people and organisations to stand side by side our soldiers, Artsakh and Armenia.

Our donations in the united effort to the Hayastan All Armenian Fund, no matter whichever pathway taken, needs to be ongoing as the humanitarian need will continue well after the war.

Please continue to give generously as new and innovative initiatives are starting to unfold in our community.

We commend the immense effort of the organisers of the fundraising drives and similarly all those individuals who have demonstrated love, care, compassion and patriotism.

The Diocese's Artsakh Appeal will be ongoing with donations accepted at the Diocesan Centre, church offices, as well as by bank transfer and credit card (Visa and Mastercard).
The Support of Our Faith Partners

This week has seen unprecedented support from various sources both internationally and locally, secular and religious, demonstrating an understanding of truth, justice and violation of human rights to live peaceably.

From the earliest Statement released by the World Council of Churches a day after the aggression started to the most current from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry received by our Diocesan office, each in its own right denounces the aggressive force of Azerbaijan, the stance of Turkey and calls for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

On behalf of the Armenian community of Australia and New Zealand, Archbishop Haigazoun sent letters of gratitude to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the NSW Ecumenical Council and the Austral-Asian Middle East Christian Apostolic Churches Conference for their solidarity and support shown.

 
Click here to read the media releases
CHURCH NEWS
Feast of the Holy Translators

Armenia's heroes come in different forms. From Haik, the legendary forefather of the Armenians to our fighting soldiers at the frontline today.

The Armenian Church will observe the legendary heroes of the Armenian language on the Feast of the Holy Translators (Tarkmanchadz) on Saturday to tribute the memory of St Mesrob as well as other prominent champions of the Armenian language whose sacred works and mission of creating the Armenian alphabet and literature by the strength of their faith dispersed darkness and warmed the human souls through the translation of the Holy Bible.

The observance will be commemorated at the Holy Resurrection Church during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday
Prayer Services for Artsakh

From the onset of the news breaking, His Eminence Archbishop Najarian released a community announcement for a prayer service to be held on the evening of Monday 28 September that would be the first for the week. Presided by Archbishop, accompanied by parish priests, Reverend Father Norayr Patanian, Father Bartev Karakashian, Fr Avetis Hambardzumyan and deacons, prayers were offered for the security, peace and fortitude of the Republics of Artsakh, Armenia and the Armenian army.
In the days to come, a second service was held on Friday 2 October when the Homenetmen Scouts with their leaders and members of the Regional Committee attended church to honour our soldiers and pray for the stability of our Republics. The Archbishop explained the Armenian spirit of the soldier, “We have come to defend our land, the land mixed with Armenian blood. This land is sacred to us, so our soldiers are not afraid to die to ensure immortality.

On Sunday 4 October, the three churches of our Diocese held a special requiem service following the Divine Liturgy offering prayers for the repose of souls of the fallen soldiers. At Holy Resurrection Church, the congregation joined the priests in lighting candles with one another, as they reflected in prayer and solemnity, the sacrifice of our soldiers for the freedom of the Republic of Artsakh.
Make Your Donation Count

As part of its ongoing commitment to raise funds for Artsakh, the Church of Holy Resurrection will match dollar for dollar all donations received to the Diocese’s Artsakh Appeal for the next two weeks until Sunday 25 October on the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross. Help us to double the donation with your generosity to benefit the humanitarian need. We, as Diaspora’s Armenians, are called to embrace and passionately support the appeals.

Let us be reminded of the Cross, the symbol of Victory, as we raise our voices in prayer seeking God’s protection over Armenia and Artsakh, for deliverance from every adversary, and for peace and justice for all our people, so we can truly say… Յաղթելու ենք
 
Donations can be made at the Church office, Diocesan Centre, bank transfer or by credit card and by calling 9419-8056 – more details are on the Artsakh Appeal flyer below.

Join us also on Sunday for a fundraising drive when our Mother’s Group will sell Armenian Yerakouyn (tri-colour) candles, as well as homemade treats and sweets, prepared by the Church Ladies’ Auxiliary. All proceeds will benefit the Artsakh Appeal thanks to the personal donations of these ladies.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR APPEALS

To say this year has been like no other, especially for generations who haven’t come close to adversity, would simply be an understatement.
 
Despite our seemingly quietened lives since the start of the year, it seems these past months have been anything but that as we’ve seen disaster and devastation, one after the other, affect our Armenian people. In July we were faced with the attack on Tavush by Azeri forces, in August the explosion at the port of Beirut and now the provoked attack by the Azeri forces on the Republic of Artsakh which have all led to fundraising from one Appeal to the next.

Our community has risen to these challenges, opened their hearts and outstretched their hands of generosity to all the fundraising appeals, and similarly to those of the Diocese.

So as we conclude our efforts for Tavush and Lebanon, we extend our deep gratitude to all who lent their support with their donations mounting to $17,000 and $22,550 respectively. These funds have now been transferred to the Diocese of Tavush and the Great House of Cilicia.
 
Whilst our appeal for the Restoration of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin continues until the start of November, our focus now rests on Artsakh. This will be an ongoing campaign so please consider making regular donations. Our Diocesan Centre and Churches are open to receive your donations which will be regularly transferred to the Hayastan All Armenian Fund through the Mother Se of Holy Etchmiadzin-.
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ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF HOLY RESURRECTION

10 Macquarie Street Chatswood, NSW 2067 Australia

Tel:+61-2-94198056  Email: church@armenian.com.au

Website: www.armenianchurchsydney.org.au




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Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection · 10 Macquarie Street · Chatswood, Nsw 2067 · Australia

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