Blessed is the Revelation of Christ
This past week began with great festivity in the Church of Holy Resurrection commencing with the heralding of the New Year and closing with the Feast of the Holy Nativity.
On Saturday 5 January, the Eve of the Feast of the Holy Nativity or Jrakalooyts was greeted with Reverend Father Bartev Karakashian the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy. The choral accompaniment was provided by the Karasoun Mangounk Church Choir.
The following day saw a large crowd of faithful community members gathered to celebrate this major feast day of the Armenian Church, the first of five in the annual church calendar. His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Reverend Fathers Bartev Karakashian and Avetis Hambardzumyan the attendants accompanied by the diaconate and the combined church choir with members from Loosavorich, Vartanants and Karasaoun Mangounk.
In his sermon, Bishop Najarian reflected on the significance of the birth of the baby in the manger and the gift He was for the salvation of mankind. Jesus demonstrated what sacrificial dedication to God meant, giving His life to fulfil God’s great purpose. The Primate reminded us of our own personal responsibility as Christians to review our commitment to our faith life and personal ministry. He alerted to the fact that without a collective level of dedication, the future of the church is bleak and called upon our faithful to come to him with their questions for shepherding, to help us grow in our spiritual lives.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by the Water Blessing Ceremony (Chrorhnek) on the Feast of Theophany of Christ signifying the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River when the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove and the voice of God proclaimed Jesus was His Son. The presence of all three aspects of the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit declared Jesus was the promised Saviour.
The day was concluded with a procession that moved to the Edgarian hall for the Blessing of the Residence (Doonorhnek) service after which the Primate received the well wishes of community organisation representatives and individuals in the Diocesan Centre greeting one another with Kristos Dznav yev Haytnetsav, Tsez yev Mez Meds Avedis (Christ is Born and Revealed, Good News for us all)