Sts. Vartanantz Church

Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church
Reverend Father Khachatur Kesablyan, Pastor

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Come...Worship and Celebrate the Birth of the Savior!

Advent - Hisnag	Feast of Saint Stephen	Nativity - Theophany


	Advent Quinquagesima - Hisnag November 16th - January 6th The fifty days which precedes Theophany - Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord - the Nativity of Christ. The Gospel readings during the Sundays of Advent help prepare the faithful to approach in humility and love the great Manifestation of God. Formerly, as in the period of Great Lent which precedes Holy Easter, Advent constituted a time of total fasting. At present, there are the usual Wednesday and Friday fast days, as well as three week-long fasts: the first week the week before the Feast of St. James the final week leading to Christmas - January 6th	Birth of the Savior Armenian Manuscript Illumination - A.D. 1232 Believed to be from the "Tarkmanchatz Monastery" Gospel. From the collection at the Manuscripts Library - Armenian Partriarchate of Jerusalem
Sundays	First Sunday - Luke 12:13-31 [Nov. 22]
of	Teaches about losing one's faith in exchange for riches.
Advent	Second Sunday - Luke 13:1-9 [Nov. 29]	Sunday Worship
	Teaches that through tolerance and caring, one might be saved.	Sunday Worship
	Third Sunday - Luke 14:12-24 [Dec. 6]	Morning Services - 9:30AM
	Teaches that hope of salvation is open to all who respond Christ's invitation.	Divine Liturgy - 10AM
	Fourth Sunday - Luke 17:1-10 [Dec. 13]	Requiem Services offered after Liturgy (upon request)
	Teaches about the need to forgive others, and to do what is expected.	Fellowship follows Services
	Fifth Sunday - Luke 18:9-14 [Dec. 20]	All are Welcome
	Teaches that the humble will be exalted.
	Sixth Sunday - Luke 19:12-28 [Dec. 27]
	Teaches that those who fearlessly demonstrate their faith will be given more.	Read more about Advent.... click
	Seventh Sunday - Luke 22:24-30 [Jan. 3]
	Teaches that greatness lies in humble servanthood.

Observance of the Feast

Saint Stephen
First Martyr and First Deacon

6:30PM, Thursday, December 24th
Eve of Western Christmas

A beloved saint of the Church, St. Stephen was among the first presented to the Holy Apostles to be ordained a deacon and was appointed to minister to the widows of Jerusalem. Stephen was considered to be of great faith and filled with the Holy Spirit. He spoke with wisdom and such eloquence that his listeners were unable to resist him - and he did great signs among the people. But a plot was laid against him and he was martyred in the year 34.

St. Stephen is remembered at each Divine Liturgy, as well as at other worship services. His feast day is celebrated on or about the 25th day of December each year.

Read more about it in the Bible: Acts of the Apostles - chpts. 6 & 7

Saint Stephen

First Martyr and First Deacon

:::::::::: It all begins at 6PM ::::::::::

Wednesday, December 24th

Candle-Light Vespers - Yeregoyan Jammerkootiun
Prefestal Service - Nakhadonag

[English & Armenian]

Martyrology - Haysmavork

reading for St. Stephen

Singing of Christmas Carols

Fellowship Hour follows Services - All are Welcome

The icon of St. Stephen at Saints Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford alight with candles and adorned on the Saint's Feast day.

It is included among the iconography of important early saints of the Church adorning the north-western wall of the sanctuary.

The Saint is depicted in traditional orthodox robes and stole of the deaconate and crowned as the proto (first) deacon and martyr of the Church.

Nativity of our Lord

Icon Painting at the Altar of the Holy Mother of God - Asdvadzadzin at Sts. Vartanantz Church

Holy Nativity & Theophany
of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ

January 5th - Tuesday - 6:30PM

Eve of the Holy Nativity & Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Evening Service & Readings of the Messianic Prophecies
Divine Liturgy of Light - J’rakaylootz Soorp Badarak
Fellowship

January 6th - Wednesday - 10AM

Holy Nativity & Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Morning Services
Divine Liturgy - Soorp Badarak

[Luncheon follows Services]

January 11th - Sunday - 10AM

Commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord

Morning Services
Divine Liturgy
Commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord - Blessing of Water - Ch’rorhnek

[Note: Requiem Services are not offered on this day]

[Annual Parish Christmas Dinner & Program follows Services]

If possible, the faithful should fast during the seven-day period preceding January 6th as a way of preparation for Christmas. On the evening of January 5, families should attend church and participate in the celebration of the Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy of Light - J’rakaylootz, and if they are prepared, they should receive Holy Communion. They should do the same thing on the morning of January 6th, celebrating the revelation of our God in the nativity of Christ.

Baptism of our Lord

Icon Painting at the Altar of the St. John the Forerunner/Baptist - Hovhanoo Murgurditch at Sts. Vartanantz Church

:::: This page compiled, designed, and photos provided by Deacon James Magarian ::::