Palm Sunday

As the penitential season of Lent came to a close and with the celebration of Palm

Sunday upon us, Holy Martyrs worshippers flocked to the church sanctuary on

Sunday, April 5, 2009, for the observance of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Palms were carried by young and old and because it was ACYOA Day, senior and junior members of the ACYOA took on leadership roles in the duties usually carried out by the Parish Council. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian celebrated the Holy Badarak and the Gomidas Choir of the Diocese rendered the beautiful hymns, as has been their practice for the past fifty years. Fr. Carnig Hallajian was with the choir and also distributed Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the altar curtain was drawn and the symbolic ceremony of Turnpatzek (Opening of the Doors) was enacted, with Fr. Vahan and Deacons Garbis Martayan and Hagop Yaghliyan in front of the closed curtain and Fr. Carnig and Deacon Frank Kabarajian behind it.

Our ACYOA presented a lovely luncheon in the church auditorium well deserving

of the praises of all who attended.

Remembrance of the Ten Virgins

The first event on the church calendar for Holy Week occurred on Holy Tuesday, April 7. This brief but meaningful service symbolizes the watchfulness of five foolish and five wise maidens awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. Ten young girls from our parish schools were chosen to play the roles of carrying oil for their lamps or having forgotten to fortify their lamps. Some, well versed in the Armenian language, also read passages from the Scriptures telling the story they were depicting. Fr. Vahan thanked them for joining in the evening’s ceremonial service.

Holy Thursday

“Do this in remembrance of Me” said our Lord. The Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday morning, April 9, reminded the faithful of the institution of the Lord’s Last Supper. Residents of The Armenian Home were present among us and Fr. Vahan descended from the bema to give them Holy Communion. A communion breakfast was offered by our Women’s Guild following the Badarak to all parishioners.

The services of Holy Thursday night are always spiritually uplifting. In the early evening, Fr. Vahan washed the feet of twelve of our young altar servers, symbolizing Jesus’ Washing of His Disciples’ Feet. Prior to beginning the Khavaroom Service, Fr. Vahan invited the worshippers to gather in the church auditorium to partake of lentil soup in a spirit of Christian fellowship. Again in the Sanctuary, several visiting deacons joined ours in singing the four-hour Passion Service.

Holy Friday

Worshippers again returned to a sanctuary adorned with beautiful, sweet-smelling flower and plants placed on the replica of Christ’s tomb on April 10. The Service of the Burial of our Lord, a rather short service compared to the night before, with its several processions around the church led by Fr. Vahan, is always well loved.

Holy Saturday

The Easter Eve scriptures were efficiently and correctly read by students of the Saturday Language School on April 11 and the hymns of the Divine Liturgy were sung by the Junior Choir. Parents beamed with joy and pride as they listened to their children read our beautiful Armenian language or sing our Badarak service with their angelic voices. Fr. Vahan expressed his appreciation to all for their participation in the services. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Junior Choir once more sang the hymn proclaiming the Resurrection of the Lord, “Kovia Yerousaghem, zDer, Haryav Krisdos!” as worshippers exited the sanctuary toward Kalustyan Hall. There, a lovely fellowship table had been made ready by the Holy Martyrs Armenian Language School, complete with delicacies and colored eggs.

Easter

A joyful congregation awaited the arrival of guest celebrant, His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, on Sunday, April 12. With the nearly forty-voiced choir singing Hrashapar, Srpazan Hayr was escorted down the center aisle of the sanctuary, Fr. Vahan at his side and with the participation of all our deacons and altar servers. His Eminence gave an inspiring sermon with his thundering voice and touched everyone’s heart.

The choir and deacons led His Eminence, followed by the congregation, in procession through the front doors of the church to Oceania Street and down to the church auditorium where the service of Home Blessing was held. The Parish Council had prepared a fellowship hour for all present, at which time parishioners approached Srpazan Hayr to greet him and to receive his blessing.

Krisdos Haryav Ee Merelotz!

Orhnial eh Harootiunn Krisdosee!