St. Vartan Armenian parish of Mississauga took part in the Christmas celebrations and related services. The Christmas Eve celebration took place on St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church in Oakville on January 5, 2012. There was a remarkable participation of families. It is important to mention that, within the participants, the existence of young generation and even the number of school children gave a special joy to everyone.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian. The great good news AVEDIS shared among the parishioners greetings each other with KRISDOS DZENAV YEV HAYDNETZAV (Christ was born and revealed).
In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian proclaimed once more the Good news and underlined the mystery of it which should be well understood by all Christians. He also stated the importance and the miracle born of Lord Jesus Christ. He pointed from Gospel Matthew 2;6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'” As the words, each of Jesus believer have a special importance and responsibility of keeping alive the spirit of “New Born” each and every day in deep of our soul.
On Friday, January 6, 2012 Christmas Day Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev.Fr.Myron Sarkissian. Following the Liturgy Fr. Myron read the message of his Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, on the occasion of The Holly Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, January 8, 2012, a large number of parishioners participated in the Divine Liturgy, followed by CHERORHNEK, blessing of water ceremony that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ by the hand of John the Baptist. St. Vartan Sunday school children also participated in the ceremony with the reading of the Bible verses related to the Baptism of Jesus from Matthew 3:13-17.
Deacon Manuel Akcambazyan served as godfather for the CHEROHNEK, blessing of water, a new member of our community, and long-time member of the Armenian Church in Constantinople, Turkey.
During his sermon, Rev. Fr. Myron mentioned that the only begotten Son was born to renew our identity proclaiming that we are all the children the heavenly father. The sacred music of the divine liturgies was rendered by the St. Vartan Choir under the direction of Mr. Sarkis Hamboyan.
Fallowing the Divine Liturgy, a traditional Christmas luncheon was served by the parish council and “Oknogh Tzerker” Helping Hands Committee. The lunch was colored by some Armenian traditional songs led by Mr. Sarkis Hamboyan which gave chance to feel the Christmas joy.
Click and watch some parts of the sermon by Der Myron.
