Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated Christmas on 6th January (Christmas) and the Feast of Epiphany in all the church communities depending on the Armenian Patriarchate in Turkey with great enthusiasm.
The Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, His Beatitude Sahak II Mashalyan attended the Christmas celebration held on the patriarchal cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Surp Asdvadzadzin) in Kumkapı.
The Holy Communion has been offered by the rector of the Cathedral, Rev. Antreas Hagopyan. The celebration started in morning. Rev. Hagopyan was assisted by the deacons and choir. Koğtan choir animated the liturgy with Maestro Hovsep Kuyumcuyan.
After the distribution of the holy communion, Patriarch Mashalyan in his preaching in Armenian and Turkish said: “We celebrate Christmas with great joy and enthusiasm for 2000 years. The birth of Jesus Christ actually has many meanings. It is the beginning of a life full of difficulties for Jesus Christ and his family, but it turned out to be a feast for all Christians. The most important mystery of Jesus Christ’s birth in a barn, is that fact that God is saying us: ‘I if I am there, the worst case, can turn into a myth.’ The birth of Jesus Christ is a hope for us. The hope that God is with us. We should not lose this hope even in the most difficult moments.
The name given by the angel to Jesus Christ is Emanuel, which means ‘God with us.’ He was born as a savior, to save us from Godlessness, hopelessness and darkness.” Patriarch Mashalyan, after his sermon thanked also the representatives of the Santa Maria Catholic Church.
After the celebration in the church, water was blessed with the Cross, representing Jesus Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, and the Cross was released into the water.
Then the clergy went in procession to Ğazaz Artin Amira Hall where the ceremony ended with the consecration of Water, Bread and Salt.
