St. Peter Armenian Church

Hi! I am Artsakh, nice to meet you ! #RecognizeArtsakh I Am Artsakh

Hi! I am Artsakh, nice to meet you ! #RecognizeArtsakh I Am Artsakh

This is a threat to the democratic values of the entire civilized war. #RecognizeArtsakh Share this message and raise the awareness.... Bring government's attention to this crisis. Make peaceful protests against war and crime and for self-determination of Artsakh - Nagorno-Karabakh. We stand for peace and right to exist Turkey, Azerbaijan, Arab terrorists stand for tyranny, terrorism and war. https://bit.ly/30ROSeV

Dear Parishioners and Friends, I am sure you are all well aware of the current situation in Artsakh and Armenia and have done your own part to support our brothers and sisters on the front lines. It goes without saying that we condemn the attacks by Azerbaijan violating a long-standing ceasefire in order to initiate war in the name of a so-called "clash" over the territory of Artsakh, as of September 27, 2020. These attacks are directed not only at the front lines, but at inn...ocent civilians and children at the Artsakh capital, Stepanakert, and its neighboring villages. Azerbaijan and Turkey have since begun directing these attacks at the Republic of Armenia, as well. If you are still interested in participating in the continued effort to show support during this tumultuous time, you are welcome to donate to the Armenia Fund online, via the link attached below, or if you would prefer to write a check, you are also welcome to drop your checks off or mail them to the church and all collected contributions will be directed to the Armenia Fund as well. Please make sure to issue your check to the church and note The Armenia Fund in the memo, and mail them to the following address: 632 W. Stocker St., Gelendale CA 91202 May we join together in support and prayer of our motherland. Pastor and Parish Council of St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church of Glendale Please click on the following link to make your donation: www.himnadram.org See more

: @Hayastanallarmenianfund www.himnadram.org

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FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAK All Christian Churches each year solemnly celebrate all feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross. The Armenian Apostolic Church, in difference to the other Christian Churches, celebrates another purely national feast dedicated to the Holy Cross, which is famous as the Holy Cross of Varak. The Armenian Church celebrates this feast two weeks after the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, that is - the Sunday during the period of September 25 - Octob...er 1. According to the historian Agathangelos, St. Hripsime and her companions, running away from the Roman Emperor Dioklethianos, who started persecutions against Christians, reach to Armenia and find shelter in Vagaharshapat. However, before reaching Vagharshapat they stop at the Mountain Varak, which is to the southeast from the Lake Van. Taking off from her neck the relic of the Lord’s Wooden Cross, St. Hripsime gives it to the praying monks living on the mountain and asks them to preserve it in one of the caves. Thus, the sacred relic remains hidden till the seventh century. In 653 A. D. the monk Todik and his disciple Hovel pray at the Mountain Varak and ask God to show the place of the relic. Suddenly 12 bright columns appear around the mountain and the sign of the Cross is seen among the columns. For 12 days the bright columns remain visible even from distant sites. This joyful news spreads everywhere. Nerses the Creator Catholicos who was the Catholicos of All Armenians of that period, and Captain Vard, son the Knight Theodoros, learning about that miracle, go the Mountain Varak to personally witness it. With the support of the Armenian people the Pontiff builds a magnificent church, which in honor of the miracle is named Holy Cross Church. The Pontiff Nerses also writes the marvelous church hymn By means of the most powerful sign, which is sung in the churches on the day of the feast. The sacred relic remains at the Mountain Varak till 1021 A. D. Later the Armenian King Senekerim Artsrouni brings the relic to Sebastia. After the latter’s death the relic is again transferred to its old place and remains there until 1651 A. D. when the relic is taken to Khoshab. In 1655 A. D. the relic is placed in the Church of Holy Godmother, in Van, which is renamed to Church of Holy Sign. The relic was preserved there till 1915 A. D.

13 September Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the last one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the most important feast among the feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross, as it is dedicated to the history of the return of the Holy Cross from imprisonment, its elevation and glorification. In the Armenian Apostolic Church the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated on Sunday during the period between September 11-17. This ye...ar that date is September 17, and the Monday following the Feast is a Memorial Day. In 610 A. D, the Persian King Khosrov with a large army attacks the Byzantine Empire. Enthusiastic about the initial victory, in 614 A. D. the Persian army enters Jerusalem. Many people are killed and many are imprisoned. Pontiff Zakaria, the Patriarch of Jerusalem is imprisoned, too. However, the Persians are not satisfied and enter the Church of Holy Sepulcher and take the Holy Cross kept in the Church. The Holy Cross had been found and installed in the Church for the Christians to worship by Heghineh, the mother of the King Costandianos, in the beginning of the 4th century. In 628 A. D., the Byzantine army led by the King Herakles fight against the Persians to return the Holy Cross. The Armenian army regiment, led by Mzhezh Gnounie, supported the Persian army. With the Lord’s help the Byzantine army wins the battle. The Holy Cross is solemnly brought to the Armenian town Karin, from where it is carried to Constantinople, and then - to Jerusalem. On the way the Holy Cross was raised for the people to see and worship. For Christians the Cross is God’s power and strength and pride of all prides, on which Christ’s innocent blood was shed. By means of the Cross Jesus proved His love towards mankind, and the Cross became for us the symbol of hope, love and saving.