Heavenly sounds of the Armenian liturgy, decorated altar with blooming flowers, the splendid scent of incense filled the cathedral and the hearts of nearly 1,000 faithful Armenians with the promise of restoration and new life. Christ has risen from the death. Blessed is the resurrection of Christ.
Being the central cathedral of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, St. Leon was full of faithful followers to celebrate the Easter in Burbank, Calif. Among the guests was the Armenia’s Consul General to Los Angeles, Grigor Hovhannisyan, the President of the Union of Armenians in Russia NGO, Ara Abramyan, and Vice President of AGBU, Sinan Sinanian.
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, conducted the liturgy.
“With the Glorious Resurrection of Christ, the Christian faithful affirms the new life in Christ and renews his covenant with God,” said his eminence archbishop, Hovnan Derderian. “We speak of a new life, where one’s unshakable faith allows for the ability to see beyond the confines of the material life. Empowered with the blessed gift of the Christian faith, one becomes a creator, an architect of light, a notable spiritual presence to transform lives and steer those who are lost to the path leading to the Creator, the All Merciful God.”
Armenians from all walks of life, backgrounds and age gathered under one roof to celebrate the most significant event in the world of Christendom, like it was thousands of years ago. The blooming crosses during the celebration were the silent witnesses of a chance of a new life through resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Praying along with the liturgy, chanting the Gospel, kneeling in front of God to ask for pardon and to receive a chance to a newly restored spiritual journey was an important part of the celebration.
“The Victorious Resurrection of Christ, in a sense is applicable to the Resurrection of our people and the spiritual reawakening of our Motherland,” said his eminence archbishop Hovnan Derderian. “The history of the Armenian people has been one of martyrdom for we have shared the sufferings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, like Christ, we have always emerged “victorious over death” due to the unbreakable chain of miracles that has strengthened the spirituality of the Armenian people.”
Preserving the ancient faith, the Armenian Apostolic Church today, gives every Armenian a chance to go through the same ritual and symbolism like it was with the very first Armenian believers. On this day, we all are Armenian under one roof, sharing the same faith and tradition.
The crowded church welcomed everyone but the lines of people attempting to enter the cathedral were enormous. While the Liturgy proceeded impeccably, the following reception was also a success. Everyone, including children, gathered in one of the Diocesan halls to join the reception where cracking of decorated eggs followed by desserts.
Cheerful faces of children filled the atmosphere with warmness while older believers were also part of the celebration. There were people in wheelchairs, and several others with walkers but none of it prevented them from coming.
While the Easter is the central event in Christianity, the Holy Week is also of a major importance in the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During the week before Easter the church reminds everyone of the spiritual journey of Jesus Christ bringing us closer to the day of crucifixion.
During the 40 days of Lent believers have a chance to meditate on Bible passages every Sunday, the Holy Week brings us closer to the major event. The most important days are Thursday before Easter when we remember the Last Supper, washing of the feet, the betrayal of Jesus Christ and the order of darkness. During the order of darkness we are given a chance to witness and understand what would world be without the Savior. The lights of the church are turned off and the whole congregation prays in darkness with the clergy.
Friday symbolizes the burial of the Lord. Saturday is the ceremony of Easter Eve, to celebrate the day when Jesus was seen alive. The purpose of these days is to help the believers to contemplate on these events to be ready for the Easter celebration.
As this year’s Easter is already a memory, it served its purpose for the Armenians as a community and as believers of their ancient creed. Christ has risen from the death. Let the resurrection of Christ be blessed for all of us.
http://yerevanmagazine.com/easter-celebration-at-st-leon-cathedral/
Being the central cathedral of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, St. Leon was full of faithful followers to celebrate the Easter in Burbank, Calif. Among the guests was the Armenia’s Consul General to Los Angeles, Grigor Hovhannisyan, the President of the Union of Armenians in Russia NGO, Ara Abramyan, and Vice President of AGBU, Sinan Sinanian.
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, conducted the liturgy.
“With the Glorious Resurrection of Christ, the Christian faithful affirms the new life in Christ and renews his covenant with God,” said his eminence archbishop, Hovnan Derderian. “We speak of a new life, where one’s unshakable faith allows for the ability to see beyond the confines of the material life. Empowered with the blessed gift of the Christian faith, one becomes a creator, an architect of light, a notable spiritual presence to transform lives and steer those who are lost to the path leading to the Creator, the All Merciful God.”
Armenians from all walks of life, backgrounds and age gathered under one roof to celebrate the most significant event in the world of Christendom, like it was thousands of years ago. The blooming crosses during the celebration were the silent witnesses of a chance of a new life through resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Praying along with the liturgy, chanting the Gospel, kneeling in front of God to ask for pardon and to receive a chance to a newly restored spiritual journey was an important part of the celebration.
“The Victorious Resurrection of Christ, in a sense is applicable to the Resurrection of our people and the spiritual reawakening of our Motherland,” said his eminence archbishop Hovnan Derderian. “The history of the Armenian people has been one of martyrdom for we have shared the sufferings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, like Christ, we have always emerged “victorious over death” due to the unbreakable chain of miracles that has strengthened the spirituality of the Armenian people.”
Preserving the ancient faith, the Armenian Apostolic Church today, gives every Armenian a chance to go through the same ritual and symbolism like it was with the very first Armenian believers. On this day, we all are Armenian under one roof, sharing the same faith and tradition.
The crowded church welcomed everyone but the lines of people attempting to enter the cathedral were enormous. While the Liturgy proceeded impeccably, the following reception was also a success. Everyone, including children, gathered in one of the Diocesan halls to join the reception where cracking of decorated eggs followed by desserts.
Cheerful faces of children filled the atmosphere with warmness while older believers were also part of the celebration. There were people in wheelchairs, and several others with walkers but none of it prevented them from coming.
While the Easter is the central event in Christianity, the Holy Week is also of a major importance in the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During the week before Easter the church reminds everyone of the spiritual journey of Jesus Christ bringing us closer to the day of crucifixion.
During the 40 days of Lent believers have a chance to meditate on Bible passages every Sunday, the Holy Week brings us closer to the major event. The most important days are Thursday before Easter when we remember the Last Supper, washing of the feet, the betrayal of Jesus Christ and the order of darkness. During the order of darkness we are given a chance to witness and understand what would world be without the Savior. The lights of the church are turned off and the whole congregation prays in darkness with the clergy.
Friday symbolizes the burial of the Lord. Saturday is the ceremony of Easter Eve, to celebrate the day when Jesus was seen alive. The purpose of these days is to help the believers to contemplate on these events to be ready for the Easter celebration.
As this year’s Easter is already a memory, it served its purpose for the Armenians as a community and as believers of their ancient creed. Christ has risen from the death. Let the resurrection of Christ be blessed for all of us.
http://yerevanmagazine.com/easter-celebration-at-st-leon-cathedral/