![]() The Feast of the Holy Nativity & Theophany of Jesus Christ, commemorating our Lord's birth and baptism was celebrated with great joy on Friday evening, January 5, and Saturday morning, January 6, 2024. On Friday evening the faithful gathered to hear the eleven Old Testament scripture readings that prefigurate the revelation of the Messiah, and which make up the ancient service of Jrakalooyts, or "Lighting of Lanterns." Our Sunday/Armenian School students participated by reading each of the readings. The participants were as follows: Gabriel Bulbulian, Cameron Afarian, Armen Kourkounian, Hovig Baljian, Austin Afarian, Lucy Kevorkian, Scarlett Chobanian, Ani Chobanian, Thalia Sharabaika and Michael Bulbulian. ![]() Immediately following the service, the curtain of the main altar was opened and the Vigil Divine Liturgy began. Jack Balekian read the New Testament Epistle reading from the Letter to Titus, while Nishan Baljian read the same text in Armenian. Raffi Bulbulian read the prayer of General Confession prior to Holy Communion. Following the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion, the participants, led by Der Hayr, processed downstairs to Jaffarian Hall. After the reading of the Nativity Gospel telling about the Angels' heralding of the birth of Christ to the shepherds, Der Hayr blessed bread, salt and water in the traditional house blessing service of our spiritual home, Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church and Jaffarian Hall. On this occasion traditional Gata were prepared by Sossy Jeknavorian. Following the blessing, Der Stephan greeted all present with the good news that "Christ is born and revealed," to which all responded "Blessed is the revelation of Christ." A joyous fellowship hour took place immediately after, in which all partook of the goodness of the table blessings while greeting and congratulating each other with the good news of the birth and revelation of our Lord. The following day, Saint Gregory Church was filled with parishioners who had come to celebrate Christmas day with their brothers and sisters in Christ. With over seventy in attendance, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the church's pastor, Fr. Stephan Baljian. Deacons John Saryan and Shant Eghian, as well as Subdeacon Zareh Bulbulian, served at the Holy Altar, assisted by students from our Sunday School. Ms. Knarik Nerkararyan directed the choir from the organ. Master Gabriel Bulbulian served as Godfather (Gunkahayr) of the Holy Cross. In his sermon, Der Hayr reflected on the wise men who came from the East at the time of Jesus's birth, following a star and searching for the Savior of the world. He said, "The wise men from the Gospel...sought after the one who has been revealed as God and king and lord. Wise men sought him way back then… wise men still seek him today." To which he added, "We don’t need to be magi or kings or part of the intelligentsia to be considered wise men… we only need to seek after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the light that shines today from his heavenly face." ![]() Following the Divine Liturgy, a procession was formed and Dn. John Saryan solemn carried the dove-shaped vessel containing the Holy Chrism (Muron) from the baptismal font up to the holy altar. Der Hayr announced that as a surprise, one of Saint Gregory Church's newest members, Dr. Carl Manikian, would be receiving the sacrament of Holy Christmastion (Gnoonk) and would thereby be welcomed officially as a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Saint Gregory Church family. Following the day's services, a community fellowship luncheon was hosted by the Board of Trustees. All were joyful amid a festive and fraternal atmosphere. The observance of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of our Lord, in accordance with the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church, lasts for eight days, culminating on January 13 with the Feast of the Circumcision or Naming of our Jesus Christ.
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Pastor's Christmas Message![]() When it comes to the narratives of Jesus’s birth and baptism, there are many aspects of both stories to explore and further contemplate. As priests, we try to approach each year’s Christmas message from a different one of these aspects. This is so that it doesn’t sound too much like the same message every year. There are a lot of elements to the story, so there is a lot with which to engage. This year, the element that got me thinking the most was the story of the wise men who came from the east seeking the newborn Christ child around the time he was born. In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 2 (which we read during the Christmas Eve Badarak), we read the following: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea…Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (Matthew 2:1-12, NRSV) There are a few things that stand out to me from this part of the story and I wanted to share them with your on this beautiful Christmas morning.
The wise men from the Gospel were no fools… they sought after the one who has been revealed as God and king and lord. Wise men sought him way back then… wise men still seek him today. We don’t need to be magi or kings or part of the intelligentsia to be considered wise men… we only need to seek after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the light that shines today from his heavenly face. Amen. Prayerfully, Fr. Stephan Baljian, Pastor Holy Nativity & Theophany 2024 |
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