Armenian Churches celebrated the “Second Palm Sunday” (Dzağgazart), “Feast of the Entry of the Lord Jesus Christ into Heavenly Jerusalem” on Sunday, May 16. Under the presidency of the Armenians of Turkey, Patriarch Sahak II, the Holy Offering Rite (Surp Liturgy) took place in the Church of the Virgin Mary (Surp Asdvadzadzin) in the center of Kumkapı.
After the service, Patriarch Sahak II gave sermons in Armenian and Turkish. Holy Liturgy and sermons were broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s Facebook page. Spiritual trainees of the Patriarchate also served the sacrament in the Holy Liturgy, which was held by Father Shahen Uhanyan. Members of the Patriarchate Armaş choir, led by Diakos Edvin Galiboğlu, sang the hymns. High Priest Zakeos Ohanyan, Priest Shnork Donikyan, Father Shirvan Murzyan and Father Nerses Ayvazyan were also present at the ceremony. At the end of the month, “Ayin-i Ruhani” (Hokehankist) prayers were read for all those who sleep in the Lord.
Then, Patriarch Sahak II gave sermons in Armenian and Turkish. He began his Turkish sermon by explaining why it is called “second dzağgazart” to this day. Starting from the scriptures, he expressed that he wanted to talk about Jerusalem in today’s sermon, and that it was necessary to see where its importance came from. Some titles from the Turkish sermon of Patriarch Sahak II are as follows;
“The Earth and It’s Fullness is the Lord’s”
“The scriptures show that God works within a historical framework. So God has a chronology. He doesn’t do everything at once, he spread them over time, There are times and plans that He has foreseen, He tells us his stages. But he doesn’t give much details. Jesus Christ made the greatest Prophecy concerning Jerusalem, concerning today. God chose Abraham, who believed in him when humanity began to fall in love with the darkness of idolatry. 4,000 years before our history. He took him from Urfa and he said; You will not have children because it is impossible, but I will give you children. I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the sky and the sands of the sea. Abraham had two sons. Ishmael from Hagar and Isaac from Sarah. Ishmael became the ancestor of the Arabs, and Isaac became the ancestor of the Israelites. Thus Abraham became the ancestor of these two nations. This Melchizedek is interesting because he is the king and priest of Jerusalem and the priest of God. A priest who worships the true God in such a way that Abraham accepts his offering and gives him a tenth of his earnings. Melchizedek means king of justice. Jerusalem means the city of jerusalem, the city of şalim, salim, selamet, peace. So in the city of peace, the king of justice was Melchizedek. This mysterious figure. In this Christian literature, the offering of wine and bread is attributed to Jesus Christ. Somehow the first mention of this city is commemorated with this faithful king of justice. So when does the city of God become the city of God and the city of peace? When his king is the king of justice.
When his king is the king of justice. This, of course, is a foresight, a symbol that also determines the final fate of Jerusalem. When Jesus Christ returns, when he establishes his eternal kingdom in Jerusalem, he is of course that Melchizedek. He is the one who offers that wine and bread, that is, the offering of his body and blood, as a peace offering for the reconciliation of all mankind with God. Because this world and its fullness are the Lord’s. If we do not follow His laws in the scriptures and the laws He has set in nature, what awaits us as individuals and as humanity is curse, strike, fear, unproductiveness. We are chosen only when we hold on. So when we choose the Lord, we are chosen. Of course we will pray for peace. Let Jerusalem be a city of peace, like its name. And as Jesus said; <Blessed are those who make peace, for they will be called children of God.> Today’s politicians have the opportunity to make Jerusalem a city of peace. His alternative will turn into a heavy stone that we will carry on our necks for the whole world. No one can fail to see Jerusalem. No one can turn their back. Somehow, God will turn the eyes of the whole world there and apply the human drama there. But in the meantime, of course, we have to be children of peace. We should go to the fire with water, not gasoline. With the water of prayer, with the water of welcome. Not with accusations, with historical grudges, anger, or feelings of revenge… The Earth and its fullness, says our Bible, are the Lord’s. The land belongs to the Lord. He gives what he wants. This is how it is written in the law that God gave to Moses. It was very important to the history of Christianity when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and it still is. That’s why our eyes and hearts will be with that city. When we find times of peace, we will visit that city. We will be on a pilgrimage. When we fail, we will remember that city and its inhabitants, Jews, Christians and Muslims, in our prayers. May the Lord put peace and brotherhood in their hearts. Let it be a new beginning, for Jerusalem, for Israel, and for the whole world. May the Lord bless you all…”
