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Kansas City Star, MO
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008
Nation
Airport workers take over sacred job handled for centuries by Armenian clergy
By LOUIS SAHAGUN
Los Angeles Times
MICHAEL ROBINSON CHAVEZ
Muron, a holy oil used by the Armenian Church, has been concocted in
an Armenian cathedral for 1,707 years. Every seven years since
A.D. 301, priests have trekked to the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin in
Armenia.
They go to retrieve freshly brewed muron ' a sweet-scented holy oil
stirred with what is said to be the tip of the lance driven through
Jesus' side ' and carry it back to their dioceses.
Prepared in a massive silver caldron, the mixture of herbs, flower
extracts, spices, wine and pure olive oil is derived from an original
batch mixed at the Armenian Church's founding 1,707 years ago. It is
replenished every seven years by pouring old into new, continuing a
mysterious connection between distant generations.
The priests traditionally have traveled home with their portions in
jars cradled in their arms, because muron is supposed to be handled
only by ordained clergy.
That all changed late in September when ancient tradition collided
with a 21st-century obstacle put in place since the last trip for the
holy oil: As a liquid, muron cannot be taken aboard commercial
airliners, according to airport security rules.
`We were very worried. In the old days, we carried the muron in our
hands,' said His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, primate of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, which is
based in Burbank, Calif. `I would never have given away that
privilege, but we had no option.'
Derderian bundled up six containers in cloth and packed them snugly in
three suitcases. Airport baggage handlers took it from there.
`I was confident that nothing would happen to it,' he said. `You do
your best, and then trust in God.'
Derderian's containers arrived safely after a 20-hour flight.
Derderian declared mission accomplished Oct. 7 when priests from
churches across Southern California gathered in his office.
Their 7-ounce portions of the amber-hued oil were presented on a
silver tray: 15 small glass jars with white screw-cap lids.
Over the next seven years, the muron will be used ' a few drops at a
time ' primarily for christenings.
`It's important to be a part of the muron process,' Derderian
said. `It really takes you back in time.'
Sunday, Oct 19, 2008
Nation
Airport workers take over sacred job handled for centuries by Armenian clergy
By LOUIS SAHAGUN
Los Angeles Times
MICHAEL ROBINSON CHAVEZ
Muron, a holy oil used by the Armenian Church, has been concocted in
an Armenian cathedral for 1,707 years. Every seven years since
A.D. 301, priests have trekked to the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin in
Armenia.
They go to retrieve freshly brewed muron ' a sweet-scented holy oil
stirred with what is said to be the tip of the lance driven through
Jesus' side ' and carry it back to their dioceses.
Prepared in a massive silver caldron, the mixture of herbs, flower
extracts, spices, wine and pure olive oil is derived from an original
batch mixed at the Armenian Church's founding 1,707 years ago. It is
replenished every seven years by pouring old into new, continuing a
mysterious connection between distant generations.
The priests traditionally have traveled home with their portions in
jars cradled in their arms, because muron is supposed to be handled
only by ordained clergy.
That all changed late in September when ancient tradition collided
with a 21st-century obstacle put in place since the last trip for the
holy oil: As a liquid, muron cannot be taken aboard commercial
airliners, according to airport security rules.
`We were very worried. In the old days, we carried the muron in our
hands,' said His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, primate of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, which is
based in Burbank, Calif. `I would never have given away that
privilege, but we had no option.'
Derderian bundled up six containers in cloth and packed them snugly in
three suitcases. Airport baggage handlers took it from there.
`I was confident that nothing would happen to it,' he said. `You do
your best, and then trust in God.'
Derderian's containers arrived safely after a 20-hour flight.
Derderian declared mission accomplished Oct. 7 when priests from
churches across Southern California gathered in his office.
Their 7-ounce portions of the amber-hued oil were presented on a
silver tray: 15 small glass jars with white screw-cap lids.
Over the next seven years, the muron will be used ' a few drops at a
time ' primarily for christenings.
`It's important to be a part of the muron process,' Derderian
said. `It really takes you back in time.'