Poon Parégéntan at Saint Gregory

     Sunday, February 11, 2018, saw the annual observance of Poon Parégéntan at Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church. Traditionally, Poon Parégéntan is the entry into the liturgical period known as Great Lent (Méds Bahk) and is the equivalent of the Western "Carnivale," "Mardi Gras," or "Shrove Tuesday."  Poon Parégéntan is observed over the weekend immediately prior to the start of Great Lent (always on the following Monday). In the old country, the entire community would revel and celebrate for those two days, while also attending church on Saturday evening to witness the official closing of the curtain in front of the main altar, where it was to remain closed for the next forty days, the entirety of Lenten period. Sunday morning's Divine Liturgy celebrated behind the closed curtain would be a stark reminder of the period of spiritual reflection and sobriety required of the next six weeks. This would be accomplished through a strict fast of abstinence from meat, dairy products and alcohol, increased prayer and worship giving of alms to the poor. All of this, of course is done in preparation for Holy Pascha, or the Feast of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
         Other cultural traditions include various types of dances, masquerade balls and displays of traditional village costumes. One peculiar tradition involves decorating an onion with intricate, colorful designs, sticking seven quill feathers in the onion and hanging it prominently in the house. At the end of each week of Great Lent (plus the Great Week), a feather is removed from the onion, reminding all in the household that they were one week closer to their destination of Easter. Many activities were also geared toward children, and Parégéntan remains one of the most beloved time of year for Armenian children throughout the world.
         Following the Divine Liturgy, Der Stephan invited all the parishioners to fill in the front pews for a brief seminar on practical observances of Great Lent in one's daily life. Using a brief passage from a book by the late Patriarch Shnorhk of Constantinople, Der Hayr outlined the origins, purpose and practice of fasting and of observing Great Lent in general He spoke candidly about some of his personal experiences, both personal and anecdotal. He encouraged the faithful to spend more time in prayer and worship before God. He urged them to find some way to observe within reason the traditional way of fasting in the Eastern Churches -- that of communal abstention from meat, dairy products and alcohol -- as opposed to the more prevalent, subjective Lenten tradition of each individual identifying something to give up. Above all, he emphasized that fasting without increased prayer and devotion is misguided and counter-productive. Using the words of the Church Fathers, he reminded everyone that for the glory of God the most important thing to try to abstain from is sin.
      Meanwhile, Saint Gregory parishioner and noted artist and scholar of Armenian cultural tradition, Ani Babayan gave a wonderful presentation to our Sunday/Armenian School students about the different customs and activities surrounding Parégéntan. She explained to them about some of the folklore and children's activities associated with Parégéntan. She also engaged them with some artistic projects.
      Following these educational activities, all parishioners were treated to a festive Parégéntan meal prepared by a team of our Sunday School parents with alumni parents Markar & Andrea Frounjian at the helm. The children then participated in a whole host of fun activities and games, including a pie eating contest, musical chairs and the yearly appearance of the candy filled piñata!