His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of all Armenians
Sunday, September 3
(blog written while in Armenia)
After our stop at the St. Hripsimé, it was on to Etchmiadzin.
The Church of Etchmiadzin
Here we experienced a full Armenian mass – all two plus hours of it. Apparently Armenian masses last anywhere from two to three hours. Except for a few select worshipers and the elderly or disabled, those in attendance are expected to stand through out the service. There are no chairs in the main area of congregation – only an alter and (hopefully) a view of the service.
The ritual was amazing. It was all in Armenian, of course, but spirituality knows no language and one could still soak in the beautiful notes of the nuns choir or the chanting of those saying the mass. Monks moved about through out the church as the Archbishop presided. The celebrants stood on a raised area, like a stage on a theater, and this is where the main alter was located. Also, like a theater, there was a curtain that could be pulled closed between “acts” – and this happened on three occasions as the ritual dictated.
The service was especially significant today because not only were there several ministers and a bishop from our habitat build, but we were also joined by the Roman Catholic Archbishop for the countries of Armenia and Georgia. In addition, a Sheik from Saudi Arabia attended, apparently the first time a Saudi Arabian of his stature had been to a mass at that church. It truly was an ecumenical worship.
After mass we were invited to join His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of all Armenians at a private reception. His Holiness recently entered into partnership with Habitat for Humanity and praised our leaders for their guidance and leadership and our volunteers for our commitment to creating change. Dr. Bob Edgar presented His Holiness with two books and Bishop Wayne Clymer (of Minneapolis, Minnesota) also presented a gift.
After beautiful prayers and blessings both by His Holiness and Dr. Edgar, we were free to sample the food. Wonderfully prepared, it ranged from salmon roe in pastry shells to a chocolate fondue fountain to much more exotic looking pâtés and cheese pastries.
(blog written while in Armenia)
After our stop at the St. Hripsimé, it was on to Etchmiadzin.
Here we experienced a full Armenian mass – all two plus hours of it. Apparently Armenian masses last anywhere from two to three hours. Except for a few select worshipers and the elderly or disabled, those in attendance are expected to stand through out the service. There are no chairs in the main area of congregation – only an alter and (hopefully) a view of the service.
The ritual was amazing. It was all in Armenian, of course, but spirituality knows no language and one could still soak in the beautiful notes of the nuns choir or the chanting of those saying the mass. Monks moved about through out the church as the Archbishop presided. The celebrants stood on a raised area, like a stage on a theater, and this is where the main alter was located. Also, like a theater, there was a curtain that could be pulled closed between “acts” – and this happened on three occasions as the ritual dictated.
The service was especially significant today because not only were there several ministers and a bishop from our habitat build, but we were also joined by the Roman Catholic Archbishop for the countries of Armenia and Georgia. In addition, a Sheik from Saudi Arabia attended, apparently the first time a Saudi Arabian of his stature had been to a mass at that church. It truly was an ecumenical worship.
After mass we were invited to join His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of all Armenians at a private reception. His Holiness recently entered into partnership with Habitat for Humanity and praised our leaders for their guidance and leadership and our volunteers for our commitment to creating change. Dr. Bob Edgar presented His Holiness with two books and Bishop Wayne Clymer (of Minneapolis, Minnesota) also presented a gift.
After beautiful prayers and blessings both by His Holiness and Dr. Edgar, we were free to sample the food. Wonderfully prepared, it ranged from salmon roe in pastry shells to a chocolate fondue fountain to much more exotic looking pâtés and cheese pastries.
posted by Becca Doten at
11:00 AM
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