His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, will join the Armenian communities of Montreal and Laval during this year’s Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
Archbishop Hagopian will first preside over Palm Sunday Liturgy at Bon Pasteur Church in Laval.
On this day, a special service known as the Opening of the Doors will take place following Divine Liturgy, where attendants pray for their entry into God’s Kingdom. Following the service, the symbolic opening of the church doors represents the time Jesus Christ opened the doors for the resurrection of humanity.
Throughout Holy Week and on Easter Sunday, Archbishop Hagopian will preside over the ceremonies at Sourp Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church in Montreal.
The first three days of Holy Week are observed through the reading of excerpts from the Old Testament and Hymns to remind us of the need for salvation.
Holy Thursday is the celebration of the Last Supper and the establishment of the sacrament of Holy Communion. A morning service will be held and the Washing of the Feet ritual, which symbolizes humility, will take place in the evening.
On Holy Friday, midday and evening ceremonies will be performed in remembrance of Christ's betrayal and suffering.
The dedication to the burial of Jesus and the sealing of His tomb will take place on Holy Saturday. Traditionally, communion is given in the morning and a Candle Mass (Jerakalouyts) is held to signify the beginning of a new day.
On Easter Sunday, which is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, Prelate Hagopian, will be receiving the community for a reception at the Prelacy hall after Divine Liturgy.
