In Kolkata, 300th anniversary of an Armenian church is celebrated
Karekin II ordains local deacon into priesthood
Kolkata, India - Avedis - or good news - was the word resonating at the historic celebration of the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth in Kolkata on Saturday, November 15. Avedis - a word used in the Armenian Church to congratulate congregants on holidays like Christmas and Easter - was also the new name chosen by Catholicos Karekin II for Deacon Harutyun Hambardzumyan, who was ordained into the priesthood.
The moving ordination and liturgical services were performed in front of an illuminated, vibrantly alive, gold-and-silver altar lit with candles.
The powerful and precise 26-member choir of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin provided the live soundtrack of the service from the balcony.
In the pews stood a diverse audience of congregants from all corners of the world, who had come on a pilgrimage from Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
Some were singing the hymns along with the choir. Others were praying in silence, or videotaping and taking photographs.
Congregants were surrounded by the uniformed students of Kolkata's Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy, where Deacon Harutyun - now Father Avedis - is administrator, teacher, and role model.
This historic, theatrical, and mystical moment followed the 17-centuries-old traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Full of pageantry, angelic hymns, deep-burgundy and sparking-gold costumes, conical hats, and intoned readings of the scriptures, the services included burning of incense, shaking of the censer and flabella, anointing with Holy Muron (chrism), and sharing of communion.
This was the Armenian Church of India alive once again, and the re-emergence of an old diaspora community.
The avedis, the good news, was that the first people to adopt Christianity - in 301 - had been blessed with the ordination of a new clergyman, one who would continue the traditions and teachings of the Armenian Apostolic Church by leading another generation of believers.
The moving ordination and liturgical services were performed in front of an illuminated, vibrantly alive, gold-and-silver altar lit with candles.
The powerful and precise 26-member choir of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin provided the live soundtrack of the service from the balcony.
In the pews stood a diverse audience of congregants from all corners of the world, who had come on a pilgrimage from Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
Some were singing the hymns along with the choir. Others were praying in silence, or videotaping and taking photographs.
Congregants were surrounded by the uniformed students of Kolkata's Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy, where Deacon Harutyun - now Father Avedis - is administrator, teacher, and role model.
This historic, theatrical, and mystical moment followed the 17-centuries-old traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Full of pageantry, angelic hymns, deep-burgundy and sparking-gold costumes, conical hats, and intoned readings of the scriptures, the services included burning of incense, shaking of the censer and flabella, anointing with Holy Muron (chrism), and sharing of communion.
This was the Armenian Church of India alive once again, and the re-emergence of an old diaspora community.
The avedis, the good news, was that the first people to adopt Christianity - in 301 - had been blessed with the ordination of a new clergyman, one who would continue the traditions and teachings of the Armenian Apostolic Church by leading another generation of believers.
Ordination service
At an altar under a mural-size painting of the Last Supper, the prayers being said and the theatrical staging of the service were themselves worthy of being captured in a work of art.
Having crawled up to the altar on his knees, Deacon Harutyun knelt in front of the altar, arms up, palms facing congregants, and eyes shut. This was how he renounced his secular life.
Behind him stood Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, surrounded by archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons.
With prayers and hymns, the pontiff ordained Deacon Harutyun by anointing him with Holy Muron on his forehead, on his right hand, and on his left hand. The Catholicos called Deacon Harutyun by his new name, Der Avedis, three times.
From the altar, the Catholicos later told congregants he had chosen the name Avedis after taking into consideration the many factors that converged and made the ordination of a new priest in India possible.
He cited "the reinvigoration of the Armenian College of Kolkata, the influx of new students coming from Armenia, and from Iran and from Iraq."
Karekin added, "The fact there's Armenian independence and new statehood for the Republic of Armenia has enabled Armenia and Etchmiadzin now to become a greater force in the work of reaching out to the diaspora."
The Catholicos said a stronger diaspora meant a stronger homeland. The strength of both, he said, naturally translates to a stronger Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which then is empowered to strengthen the sons and daughters of the Armenian Church.
"The fact that a large number of pilgrims have come from around the world, including former students of the Armenian College, is very heartening and causes much joy," said the Catholicos, and he thanked God for protecting the sons and daughters of the Armenian Church from the illuminated altar of St. Nazareth.
The Catholicos said the Armenian community in India was experiencing a rebirth. He prayed that God provide guidance to Father Avedis, to his yeretzgin, or wife, and to his family.
The pontiff also expressed his appreciation and commendations to Fr. Avedis and his wife for having come here two years ago and serving this community. He also expressed his appreciation to Very. Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, manager of the school and pastor of the Armenians of India, and the Armenian Community Council Kolkata.
Karekin II also vowed to the local Armenian community that the Armenian Church would never close its doors or abandon the historic chapels and cemeteries its people had built here since the 1600s.
"These churches are indeed living, breathing houses of worship," said Karekin II at the Taj Bengal Hotel, where the weeklong celebrations and pilgrimage came to a close Saturday night.
"They are not just simply stones," he said. "They are prayers, living prayers, because they are our history, and they are part of our identity. To allow them to disappear is to become reconciled with the end of our national identity and being. A nation is made up of the sum of its part. To care for these separate parts is to make them meaningful within our lives."
connect:
http://armenianchurch.in/
Having crawled up to the altar on his knees, Deacon Harutyun knelt in front of the altar, arms up, palms facing congregants, and eyes shut. This was how he renounced his secular life.
Behind him stood Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, surrounded by archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons.
With prayers and hymns, the pontiff ordained Deacon Harutyun by anointing him with Holy Muron on his forehead, on his right hand, and on his left hand. The Catholicos called Deacon Harutyun by his new name, Der Avedis, three times.
From the altar, the Catholicos later told congregants he had chosen the name Avedis after taking into consideration the many factors that converged and made the ordination of a new priest in India possible.
He cited "the reinvigoration of the Armenian College of Kolkata, the influx of new students coming from Armenia, and from Iran and from Iraq."
Karekin added, "The fact there's Armenian independence and new statehood for the Republic of Armenia has enabled Armenia and Etchmiadzin now to become a greater force in the work of reaching out to the diaspora."
The Catholicos said a stronger diaspora meant a stronger homeland. The strength of both, he said, naturally translates to a stronger Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which then is empowered to strengthen the sons and daughters of the Armenian Church.
"The fact that a large number of pilgrims have come from around the world, including former students of the Armenian College, is very heartening and causes much joy," said the Catholicos, and he thanked God for protecting the sons and daughters of the Armenian Church from the illuminated altar of St. Nazareth.
The Catholicos said the Armenian community in India was experiencing a rebirth. He prayed that God provide guidance to Father Avedis, to his yeretzgin, or wife, and to his family.
The pontiff also expressed his appreciation and commendations to Fr. Avedis and his wife for having come here two years ago and serving this community. He also expressed his appreciation to Very. Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, manager of the school and pastor of the Armenians of India, and the Armenian Community Council Kolkata.
Karekin II also vowed to the local Armenian community that the Armenian Church would never close its doors or abandon the historic chapels and cemeteries its people had built here since the 1600s.
"These churches are indeed living, breathing houses of worship," said Karekin II at the Taj Bengal Hotel, where the weeklong celebrations and pilgrimage came to a close Saturday night.
"They are not just simply stones," he said. "They are prayers, living prayers, because they are our history, and they are part of our identity. To allow them to disappear is to become reconciled with the end of our national identity and being. A nation is made up of the sum of its part. To care for these separate parts is to make them meaningful within our lives."
connect:
http://armenianchurch.in/
