3rd Sunday of the Cross-Holy Cross of Varak
This Sunday's Summary
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak. The readings and theme of the power of God's sacrificial love on the cross echo those of the Feast of Exaltation two weeks ago, but this time focusing on the Armenian people's relationship to God by the sign of the Cross. This feast is unique to the Armenian Church calendar, and recalls how a founding Saint of our church, Hripsime, hid a piece of the true Cross of Christ in the mountains to hide it from heathen soldiers pursuing her. Hundreds of years later, in perilous times for Armenians, a monk named Todik had a vision leading him to find the relic near Mount Varak in historic Armenia, an enduring sign of God's faithfulness in troubled times. Over the centuries, Armenians raised up crosses on the walls of our churches, altars and homes. Crosses dot the entire Armenian landscape as khachkars (cross-stones). Wherever Armenians went, willingly or unwillingly, the sign of the cross came with them, a reminder that the love of God is faithful through suffering and shows the way to abundant life in Christ.
This Sunday's Readings
Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 65:22-25
They shall not build and another inhabit;
They shall not plant and another eat;
For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people,
And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain,
Nor bring forth children for trouble;
For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord,
And their offspring with them.
“It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
The lion shall eat straw like the ox,
And dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,”
Says the Lord.
Epistle Reading
Galatians 6:14-18
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 24:30-36
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
This Sunday's Lesson Plans
Ages 5-8
Ages 9-14
Ages 14-17
This Sunday's Sermons & Videos
This Season's Saints
Tuesday, Sep 22
St. Shoushanik
Saturday, Sep 26
St. George
Saturday, Oct 03
Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ
Saturday, Oct 10
Holy Translators
Saturday, Oct 31
All Saints
Saturday, Nov 07