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Armenian Church celebrates Christmas January 6
January 6, 2014 - 16:07 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Church celebrates the holy birth of
Jesus Christ on January 6. In Armenian tradition, this feast day
commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also his baptism by
John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the "Blessing of
Water" ceremony, which follows the Divine Liturgy on January 6.
On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Jrakalouyts Divine Liturgy (the lighting of the
lamps service) is celebrated in honor of the manifestation of Jesus as
the Son of God (theophany). It is custom for the faithful to hold lit
candles during this special service.
On the following day, the mystery of Christ's baptism in the River
Jordan is remembered in the ceremony of the Jurorhnek, or the
"Blessing of Water."
In ancient times, this ceremony was celebrated by the riverside or sea
shore, but, for various reasons, it was later confined to the interior
of the churches. During the ceremony, the cross is dipped in water,
recalling Christ's immersion in the Jordan River. Blessed oil, or Holy
Chrism (Muron), is poured into the water from a dove-shaped container,
symbolizing the appearance at the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the
form of a dove and the voice of the Father proclaiming to all that
Jesus is His Son.
The Holy Chrism is prepared in Holy Etchmiadzin and is blessed by the
Catholicos assisted by the bishops. Muron contains olive oil, balsam
and the essence of forty different flowers and herbs. At the end of
the ceremony, members of the congregation are given the blessed water
to drink, thereby sharing in the life giving act of Christ.
January 6, 2014 - 16:07 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Church celebrates the holy birth of
Jesus Christ on January 6. In Armenian tradition, this feast day
commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also his baptism by
John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the "Blessing of
Water" ceremony, which follows the Divine Liturgy on January 6.
On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Jrakalouyts Divine Liturgy (the lighting of the
lamps service) is celebrated in honor of the manifestation of Jesus as
the Son of God (theophany). It is custom for the faithful to hold lit
candles during this special service.
On the following day, the mystery of Christ's baptism in the River
Jordan is remembered in the ceremony of the Jurorhnek, or the
"Blessing of Water."
In ancient times, this ceremony was celebrated by the riverside or sea
shore, but, for various reasons, it was later confined to the interior
of the churches. During the ceremony, the cross is dipped in water,
recalling Christ's immersion in the Jordan River. Blessed oil, or Holy
Chrism (Muron), is poured into the water from a dove-shaped container,
symbolizing the appearance at the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the
form of a dove and the voice of the Father proclaiming to all that
Jesus is His Son.
The Holy Chrism is prepared in Holy Etchmiadzin and is blessed by the
Catholicos assisted by the bishops. Muron contains olive oil, balsam
and the essence of forty different flowers and herbs. At the end of
the ceremony, members of the congregation are given the blessed water
to drink, thereby sharing in the life giving act of Christ.