THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OBSERVES THE FEAST OF SAINT MARY
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“WE WILL COLLECTIVELY FIGHT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF SPIRITUAL AND MORAL VALUES”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
The Catholicosate of Cilicia ceremoniously observed the Feast of Saint Mary on August 16 during the Holy Mass officiated by His Holiness Aram I on a special altar built for this purpose outside the St. Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya.
Armenian believers take unique spiritual relish in this traditional feast held annually in the Monastery in Bikfaya, which they visit in large numbers on this occasion.
The Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian performed the Holy Mass. The believers sung the hymns led by the Seminary choir.
According to the traditions of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Aram I performed the blessing of grapes, which symbolizes the presentation to God of the earth’s harvest and the prayers of its people. After the service, His Holiness delivered his sermon to the believers, among which the number of youth was noticeable. Also attending the service were several young Armenians who were participating in the Catholicosate’s youth conference from various corners around the world.
The message was delivered by His Holiness Aram I. The main theme of the message was the crucial importance of spiritual and moral values. In his introductory remarks His Holiness pointed out the meaning and importance of moral and spiritual values that must govern our individual and community life. He said: “These values give substance and identity to our life. These values ensure the quality of our life. They come to us from the Bible and our church fathers. As Christians, we must respond positively to these values with the profound sense of faithfulness and responsibility”.
After these general remarks, with a more specific approach, His Holiness first focused his attention on family by stressing the unique role of family in Christian life. “Family is the backbone of a society and the heart of Christian community. It is in the family that a child is grown up and formed with Christian values and teachings. In a world in which the family is exposed to the kind of trends which this integrate the family life and jeopardize its Christian values, we must pay a particular attention to family life, safe guarding its integrity and morality”.
The second point of emphasis of His Holiness was the actual state of Christian education on Armenian schools. Catholicos Aram I “reminded the crucial importance of Christian education. For us, Christians, there is only one education: Christian education. Our approaches, methodologies and perspectives may be change in the course of time and in different contexts, but the essence of Christian education based on Biblical teaching and values must remain the same. Our schools must integrate Christian education, beyond being a learning process as a formation process, in there curriculum and activities”. His Holiness also reminded the faithful that a few weeks ago a conference was held with his initiative specifically on reorganizing Christian education in the Armenian schools.
His Holiness gave a special attention in his message to the youth. He said that a pan-Diaspora Armenian Youth conference is taking place at the Catholicosate. He expressed his joy about the active and serious participation of young people from different parts of the world. His Holiness said “This is the time that we start listening what the youth are saying. We must engage in dialogue with them. A meaningful interaction with the youth is crucial for the progress and wellbeing of our church and communities. Youth should not remain on the periphery of our life. They must become active participants in all aspects of our church and community life. This is the message that I gave to youth”.
The Pontiff raised his prayers to St. Mary for her mediation with her God-given Son to grant peace, love, unity, harmony and progress to the Armenian nation.
Until late in the evening, believers stayed in the Monastery, renewing and strengthening their faith on this occasion. They returned home with the modest spirits of pilgrims and the kind feeling of benevolence. A number of pilgrims had attended the Vespers Service the night before and spent the night in the Monastery in preparation for the next day.
Holy Mass was also held in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on Sunday marking the Feast of St. Mary. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian officiated the Mass and performed the blessing of the grapes.
The following day, Monday August 18, was Remembrance Day for the dead. Holy Mass was also held on this occasion in the Asdvadzadzine Chapel in Bikfayya, where the nation’s dead were remembered alongside the benefactors of the Chapel Mr. and Mrs. Yervant and Alice Demirdjian. Prayers were recited and incense was burnt in their memory.
At noon, the Cilician Brotherhood members, the members of the women’s committee of Antelias and Seminary student joined His Holiness in the Seminary’s lunch hall over the now traditional table of love.
Source:
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/English/cathcilnewseng.htm#2
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