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Public Radio, Armenia
Jan 5 2012
Candlelight Divine Liturgy celebrated in all Armenian churches
05.01.2012 19:32
On January 6, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
๔he celebration of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our
Lord Jesus Christ starts on the evening of January 5 as the church day
changes at 17:00 p.m., after the evening service. So the celebration
of the feast starts in the evening of January 5 and is continued on
January 6.
In the evening of January 5 candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated
in all Armenian churches. Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated
only twice during the year - on the eve of the Feast of the Holy
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ and on the eve of the
Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the
evening of that day people take to their homes candles lit in the
church symbolizing the divine light and the blessing of the Church.
Lighting candles symbolizes also the light of Bethlehem star leading
the magi from the east to the Baby Jesus.
On January 6, following the Divine Liturgy, the Armenian Church also
offers a special Blessing of the Waters Service to celebrate the
Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The wonder-working water
blessed by means of cross and Holy Chrism is distributed to the
faithful for spiritual and bodily healing.
Among the ceremonies related to the feast is the Blessing of the Home
Service. After the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord
Jesus Christ and the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus Christ people invite clergy to their homes and offices to
receive the life-giving tiding and divine blessing. Blessing of the
Home Service is performed also when the peace of home is disturbed and
the presence of evil forces is felt.
January 7, as well as all the days following the major church feasts
are memorial days (or days of Remembrance of the dead). On January 7
(and all memorial days) a special Repose of Souls Service is offered
in memory of the dead after which people go the graveyards to pay
visit to their relatives' tombs.
The ceremonies related to the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany
of Our Lord Jesus Christ are concluded on January 13, the Feast of
Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jan 5 2012
Candlelight Divine Liturgy celebrated in all Armenian churches
05.01.2012 19:32
On January 6, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
๔he celebration of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our
Lord Jesus Christ starts on the evening of January 5 as the church day
changes at 17:00 p.m., after the evening service. So the celebration
of the feast starts in the evening of January 5 and is continued on
January 6.
In the evening of January 5 candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated
in all Armenian churches. Candlelight Divine Liturgy is celebrated
only twice during the year - on the eve of the Feast of the Holy
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ and on the eve of the
Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the
evening of that day people take to their homes candles lit in the
church symbolizing the divine light and the blessing of the Church.
Lighting candles symbolizes also the light of Bethlehem star leading
the magi from the east to the Baby Jesus.
On January 6, following the Divine Liturgy, the Armenian Church also
offers a special Blessing of the Waters Service to celebrate the
Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The wonder-working water
blessed by means of cross and Holy Chrism is distributed to the
faithful for spiritual and bodily healing.
Among the ceremonies related to the feast is the Blessing of the Home
Service. After the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord
Jesus Christ and the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus Christ people invite clergy to their homes and offices to
receive the life-giving tiding and divine blessing. Blessing of the
Home Service is performed also when the peace of home is disturbed and
the presence of evil forces is felt.
January 7, as well as all the days following the major church feasts
are memorial days (or days of Remembrance of the dead). On January 7
(and all memorial days) a special Repose of Souls Service is offered
in memory of the dead after which people go the graveyards to pay
visit to their relatives' tombs.
The ceremonies related to the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany
of Our Lord Jesus Christ are concluded on January 13, the Feast of
Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.