Milwaukee Armenians

By David Luhrssen

From Palm Sunday through Easter, St. John the Baptist Armenian Church faithfully observed the sacred journey of Holy Week with a full cycle of traditional services, drawing parishioners together in worship, reflection, and renewal.

The Lenten season culminated on Palm Sunday, March 29, with the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the “Opening of the Doors” (Turen-Patsek) service, a distinctive rite in the Armenian Church. In his morning sermon, Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan offered a contemporary reflection on spiritual growth, likening it to the widely discussed “Seven Stages of Marriage.” He described a progression from joy through challenge and reconciliation to ultimate fulfillment, emphasizing that faith, like relationships, matures through perseverance and grace.

Following the Divine Liturgy (Badarak), parishioners gathered in the Cultural Hall for the traditional Palm Sunday breakfast hosted by the Sunday School. In keeping with Armenian Church custom, Palm Sunday was also celebrated as Youth Day, recognizing the vital role of young people, including members of the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO), in the life of the Church.

Holy Week services continued on Tuesday evening, March 31, with the Commemoration of the Ten Maidens. Young girls from the parish participated in a candlelight procession, embodying the message of Christ’s parable of the wise and foolish virgins. In his homily, Fr. Hambardzumyan underscored the call to spiritual readiness, urging the faithful to remain vigilant and prepared in their faith.

On Holy Thursday, despite inclement weather, the church was filled for one of the most moving services of the week. Fr. Hambardzumyan performed the Washing of the Feet, humbly reenacting Christ’s act of love and service by washing the feet of boys and men from the congregation. The ceremony highlighted themes of humility, devotion, and obedience to God’s will.

Later that evening, Fr. Hambardzumyan, joined by visiting seminarian Dn. Sarkis Ginosian of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, led the Tenebrae service (Khavaroom), or Vigil of Darkness. This solemn observance commemorates the anguish of Christ’s betrayal and arrest, gradually enveloping the sanctuary in darkness as a powerful symbol of the Passion.

Holy Friday marked the Burial Service of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, during which the sanctuary curtain was closed, signifying the depth of mourning and the mystery of Christ’s death. The service was conducted by Fr. Hambardzumyan, Dn. Sarkis Ginosian, and Dn. David Luhrssen.

The tone shifted on Holy Saturday evening, Easter Eve, as readings from the prophecies of Daniel anticipated the Resurrection. The reopening of the curtain signaled the triumph of life over death, followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy led by former parish pastor Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, with Fr. Hambardzumyan directing the choir.

Easter Sunday brought a message of hope and renewal. In his sermon, Fr. Hambardzumyan reflected on the Resurrection narrative from the Gospel of Matthew, reminding the faithful that the silence experienced by Christ’s disciples after the Crucifixion is a familiar aspect of human life. “In that silence everything felt lost,” he said, acknowledging the moments when prayers seem unanswered. Yet, he emphasized a central truth of Christian faith: silence does not signify God’s absence, but rather His work unfolding beyond human understanding. Through the Resurrection, he affirmed, believers are freed from darkness and empowered to transform fear into courage.

The celebration concluded with the parish community gathering in the Cultural Hall to break the Lenten fast and share in the joy of Easter fellowship.

Through these sacred observances, St. John the Baptist Armenian Church once again affirmed its commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich liturgical traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church, guiding the faithful from solemn reflection to the radiant hope of the Resurrection.

Looking ahead, St. John the Baptist Armenian Church will host the 2026 Diocesan Assembly at the historic Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee in three weeks. The Assembly will feature a Gala Banquet on Friday, May 1st. Reservations for the Gala can be made at the following link: www.diocesanassembly.com/gala