Posts Tagged ‘catholic’

St. John Armenian Church Observes Holy Week and Easter with Rich Liturgical Traditions

Posted in News, tagged , , , , on April 6, 2026|

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

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ST. JOHN CELEBRATES 82 YEARS OF SERVING FAITH AND HERITAGE

Posted in News, tagged , , , , , , , on November 12, 2024|

By David Luhrssen

“It’s good to be back home,” said Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the celebrant and guest speaker for the 82nd anniversary celebration at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, Greenfield. The November 10 event was a special occasion for Der Tateos and Milwaukee’s Armenian community. St. John was his first parish, the beginning of four decades of service in the Eastern Diocese. His years in Milwaukee were also a turning point for St. John, with Der Tateos taking the lead role in building the sanctuary that continues to be central to Armenian spiritual life in Milwaukee.

Der Tateos’ sermon was a reminder to parishioners who knew him in the ‘80s of his penetrating intelligence grounded in faith. He spoke of the power of silence, referencing the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:7, as a way to hear the voice of God in a world of noise and distraction. It’s a voice, he said, that we can hear “only if we learn to be quiet.” He encouraged the congregation to “Arrive early, before Liturgy, or stay afterward, sit quietly in the sanctuary, away from all noises and distractions, and hear God’s voice speak to you”.

After Badarak, a requiem service was conducted for all of St. John’s deceased priests, the godfathers of the parish and everyone instrumental in building the sanctuary in the ‘80s.

Parish Council Chairman Lyle Dadian was master of ceremonies in the program that followed. Among the highlights was a slide show assembled by Don and Donny Rask from photo albums that provided a visual tour of St. John’s 82 years. The presentation began with black and white photos from St. John’s original home in West Allis and moved swiftly to Greenfield in 1970. Photos from the ‘70s and ‘80s were a reminder that the Badarak was celebrated in those years on the stage of the Culture Hall. There was no church building until the ‘80s when Der Tateos pushed for its construction.

The slide show included many pictures of breaking ground, construction and the consecration by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian in 1986. Photos from the decades since display the continued activity in the church and the hall, including weddings, the annual Armenian Fest and the 2021 ordination of St. John’s current parish priest, Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan.

Representing women of the community, Ramelann Kalagian presented Diane Blinka Award to Mary Rask and Dr. Sue Oneson for their many years of devoted service. Both women served in Sunday School as teachers, volunteers at Milwaukee Armenian Fest, choir members and as Parish Council members.

In his inspiring remarks, referring to the church, Fr. Guregh pointed out “Though this structure may appear to be a collection of bricks and stone, within its walls we encounter the living God, who nourishes us with His grace and invites us into deeper communion with Him.” And addressing Fr. Tateos, he said, “Der Hayr, it is through your steadfast leadership, and unwavering commitment of our beloved community that this Church has come to life—a place where we are continually drawn closer to the Source of all Good Things—our Creator and Sustainer.”

Also included in the program a rousing toast by Russell Kashian and a moving performance of Der Getso by Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, St. John’s previous priest, accompanied on the piano by Jan Avakian Kopatich.

The weekend festivities concluded with assurances by Fr. Tateos returning to Milwaukee for the 2026 Diocesan Assembly (April 30- May 2, 2026) and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the construction and consecration of St. John’s current sanctuary on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

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