Home Blessings
Home Blessings:
For thos of you who wish to have a visitation or home blessing from Der Zacharia during the holiday season, please call 480-451-8171 or 480-252-5131 to set an appointment.
During the end of December and into the month of January is the time to return to religious and national traditions of home blessings. Let’s not forget that tradition is the best occasion to bring families and friends together and reignite the need for spiritual value.
Home blessing is conducted twice a year by your choice either at Christmas or at Easter. What preparation is needed? The presence of all family members, a table with a glass of water, salt, bread, brightly lit candles, a container for incense and Der Hayr will bring nashkhar. You can decorate the table with any other personal items that you wish.
Upon Der Hayr’s arrival to your home, immediately the ceremony will begin. He will bless the water in memory of Jesus Christ’s baptism. he will bless the salt and cread as they are the symbols of Christianity. he will read the gospel from the Holy Bible, sing hymns and pray for the residents of that home wishing love, unity, health and happiness. If there are elderly family members or those whoare not able to travel to Church, he will also have Holy Communion available for them. At the end of the ceremony, those who are there will drink the holy water and partake of the bread dipped in the salt. The nashkhar can also be share or it can be kept in the kitchen pantry. The home blessing ceremony can take only a few minutes. If so desired, he can conduct a short Bible study session for the family members following the ceremony to answer any questions or assist with family issues.
St. Stephen, the protodeacon & first martyr feast day will be celebrated on Sunday December 27. The special badarak will be honoring our deacons who are allowed to wear the priest’s crown. The deacons will be given the chance to share their heartfelt words with us. It will be a beautiful addition to the Divine Liturgy on that day.
New Year, Armenian Christmas and cemetary visitation:
Start your new year of 2010 with Divine Liturgy at St Apkar Armenian Church beginning at 12:00 Noon. The Church doors will remain open until 2:00PM following the badarak.
New Year’s Eve Family-Style Celebration at Melikian Hall:
By now everyone should have received their flyer in the mail with all the detailed information. It will be a fun-filled night together with your St Apkar Church family. Please contact Rafi Hagopian to purchase your tickets @ only $25.00 per person.
Armenian Christmas is Wednesday January 6, 2010. Divine Liturgy will be conducted on that same date beginning at 6:00PM followed by refreshments hosted by the Ladies Society. The following day is known as merelotz. This religious and national tradition needs to be resurrected in our Arizona community. We will be conducting merelotz on Sunday January 10. Nevertheless, if you wish to have a cemetary visitation for prayers to be shared at the tomb of your loved ones on January 7th, 8th or 9th; please contact Der Zacharia at 480-451-8171 or 480-252-5131.
