Times of India
Jan 3 2012
It’s Xmas time for Armenians
TNN | Jan 3, 2012, 04.23AM IST
KOLKATA: The Holy Church of Nazareth at Armenian Street off Burrabazar
is bustling with activity. It’s time for celebration and merriment for
the 200-odd Armenians in the city. Yes you heard it right,
The city is gearing up for yet another Christmas, the Armenian
Christmas, on January 6.
The Armenian Apostolic Church shares doctrinal beliefs of the Eastern
Orthodox Churchand retains traditional Armenian rites
The church follows the Julian calendar which celebrates the birth of
Christ on January 6 (also known as Old Christmas).
‘Armenian Christmas’ is a culmination of celebration of events related
to Christ’s Incarnation. It centers around Theophany or Epiphany (or
Astvadz-a-haytnootyoon in Armenian), meaning “revelation of God”.
which is the central theme of the Christmas season in the Armenian
Church.
“When we wish someone Merry Christmas in Armenian, we are actually
saying that Christ is born and revealed, and blessed is Christ’s
revelation,” said Rev Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, pastor (priest) of
Armenians in India.
During the Armenian Christmas season, a series of major events is
celebrated which are the major events that are celebrated are the
Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem and His Baptism in the River Jordan.
Also, a ceremony called ‘Blessing of Water’ is conducted in the
Armenian Church to commemorate Christ’s Baptism.
“Until the fourth century, Christians worldwide celebrated Christ’s
birth on January 6. The Roman Catholic Church changed the birth date
to December 25 to override a pagan festival dedicated to the birth of
the sun. The Armenian Church just kept the original date. Armenia is
the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301
AD,” said the priest.
Armenian Christmas is quite unique in its celebration and dotted with
various rituals.
To prepare themselves for the great festival, Armenians fast for a
week to cleanse themselves to be worthy of a great miracle and prepare
for the celebrations of the great festival
The menu for this week, hence, comprises vegetarian dishes only.
The celebrations will begin with the Christmas Eve mass on January 5
at 4pm. After the mass, there will be the Home Blessing ceremony at
the Armenian College. Father will then bless the congregationwith
salt, bread and water. and thereafter sprinkle blessed water on the
four corners of the house. This will be followed with a special dinner
comprising fish and Anushabour for dessert for the Armenian staff and
students of Armenian College.
On Christmas day Armenians will feast on roasted lamb, Pilaf and Anushabour.
Christmas Day celebrations will begin with the Christmas mass at
9:30am. at the Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth. The Christmas mass or
the Divine Liturgy is also very special. On a usual Sunday, the Church
is attended by barely 10-15 people. But come January 6 and it will
wear a different look, packed with will be choc-a-bloc with more than
150 or more Armenians on January 6. The grand altar will be decorated
with flowers and candles and instead of being seated on the pews, the
congregation will remain standing instead of sitting on the pews
Christmas Day celebrations begin with the Christmas Mass which will
start at 9:30am at Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth.
The church choir will perform at the mass whereand sticking to its
original roots, the hymn is sung in Armenian. A special service will
be held for ‘Blessing of the Water,’ to commemorate baptism of Jesus
Christ. The Cross will be immersed in water to symbolize the baptism
of Christ. Thereafter, the holy water will be distributed to the
congregation.
Once the service at the Church comes to an end, After the service at
the Church, the action shifts to the lawns of the Armenian Sports Club
at the Maidan. In the afternoon, the Church committee has organised a
Christmas Tea Party for Armenians and Armenian College students at the
Armenian Sports Club where Santa Claus and a magic show will entertain
the children.