Maundy Thursday

On Thursday, April the 5th of 2012 in the life of Armenian Church it was commemorated the day of “The Last Supper in the Garret with participation of our Lord Jesus Christ and His 12 Apostles”. The Last Supper is also a memory of establishment of the sacrament of Holy Communion.

 

In the morning at 11AM a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Holy Cross Church of Laval by Rev. Fr.  Komitas Mirzakhanyan, pastor. At the end of Divine Liturgy Fr. Komitas transferred to the all present faithful the message of the day. With the establishment of Divine Liturgy and sacrament of Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday our Lord Jesus Christ gained a victory over the sin.

 

Washing of the feet Ceremony

The same day, in the evening at 6pm in the Holy Cross Church the the pastor Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan held the mysterious and beautiful ceremony of Washing of the Feet. At this time again the church was full of the faithful, who came to participate and commemorate the event of Washing of the Feet ceremony. In his words the Der Hayr explained the meaning of the ceremony by saying that “With washing of the Feet Jesus taught the most beautiful and important lesson not only his Apostles but he also taught all of us that lesson. He washed his Apostles feet to inspire in them obedience. Jesus complied resigning from His divine eminence and assumed the aspect of human being and as an expression of love He washed His apostles’ feet. And here is the new commandment of Jesus: “Love each other as I loved you, so you love each other too”. As was done in last years there were selected 12 youngsters who represented 12 apostles of Christ. Following the readings of prayers and the gospel, Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan washed and anointed with blessed oil the feet of the 12 youngsters and of all boys that were present during the service. At the end of the service, the blessed oil was distributed to the faithful. Following the service a light dinner was served organized by Ladies Guild of the Church.

 

Khavaroum

In the evening at 9pm the “Khavaroum” service was started with the presence of lots of the faithful. During the nice and mysterious Church service 7 gospels were read describing Jesus’ prayer in garden of Gethsemane, Judea’s betrayal, Jesus being passed upon hands of the crowd, abasement and humiliation in front of high priests and Peter’s three time denial of Jesus. After the church song of “Oor es mayr im” Father Komitas preached the present faithful transferring them the meaning of the day emphasizing that “Good Friday is a fact of unlimited love of God and ingratitude of a human being. The Good Friday is the Commemoration Day of betrayal of Jesus and the worst in human nature, the crucifixion and torments of Jesus and evil in a human being, condemnation of innocent and redemption of guilty, death to immortal and immortality to mortal”.

 

Good Friday

In the evening at 7pm the Burial Traditional Discipline was held with the presence of great number of the faithful. Beforehand decorated with beautiful flowers Jesus Christ’s symbolic tomb was placed in front of closed curtain of the Holy Altar. At the end of the ceremony Father transferred his message. Following the Priest’s commandment the deacons and acolytes of the Church performed the “Khachi ko Kristos” church hymn, after which, as a blessing, the faithful took the flowers from the decorated tomb of Jesus to their homes.

 

Easter Eve

The Easter Eve Divine Liturgy took place in St-Martin Catholic Church in Laval. The celebrant was His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of Canada. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan, deacons and acolytes were serving at the Alter. The Devine Liturgy was sung by the members of “Echmiadzin” choir lead by Deacon Vahe Puchikyan. There were about 400 faithful present during the Easter Eve celebration. During the Church service the students of Alec Manougian-Armen Quebec Armenian school performed readings from the Bible. At the end of the ceremony His Grace Bshp. Bagrat Galstanyan conveyed his Easter message to the presents, heralding the Holy Resurrection of Jesus Christ, after which with the participation of all the faithful there was held a ceremony of traditional “House Blessing”. Following the service an Easter Dinner was served in the Holy Cross Church, organized by the Ladies Guild of the Church. The tables were full of colorful eggs, Armenian Easter Cheoregs/cookies and plenty of delicious foods and appetizers all prepared by the precious and energetic accomplishment of Ladies Auxiliary of the Church. Thanks to the all ladies whose volunteer devotion always appreciated towards the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church.

Easter

On April the 8th of 2012 a great number of the faithful were present at the morning service and then at Easter Divine Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy started at 10:30am. It was celebrated by the Pastor of the Church Rev. Father Komitas Mirzakhanyan. He was assisted by the deacons, acolytes and the church choir. The church was filled to capacity on this holy day. The faithful gathered at the church to experience a beautiful Easter service.