The Christmas joy in the Armenian Apostolic Churches continued with the Holy Services (Surp Badarak) offered on January 6.
On Saturday, January 6, Surp Badarak (Holy Mass) of Surp Dzınunt (Holy Nativity) was presented by the hand of Patriarch Sahak II at Kumkapı Patriarchate Central Virgin Mary Cathedral. At the end of the Badarak, the water was blessed with prayers and the Cross was placed in it, and the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ was symbolically performed.
On Saturday, January 6, in the morning, Surp Dzınunt (Holy Nativity) Badarak was presented by the hand of Sahak II. Surp Badarak started from the Patriarchate building with the hymn Khorhurt Khorin. His Holiness the Patriarch left the Patriarchate with the “Anphovani” held by Hrant Moskofyan, the head of the Surp Asdvadzadzin Church foundation, and the members of the board of directors, and all walked as a cortege and entered the Patriarchate Central Surp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral with the “Hıraşapar” prayers.
Arriving in front of the altar, Patriarch Sahak II made his repentance to Senior Father Krikor and then went to the altar. In Surp Badarak, their assistants were Deputy Patriarch Sr. Father Krikor Damadyan and Deacon Rober Küçükakbulut. The senior readers and readers of the church served the Lord’s Table.
Senior Father Krikor read the Bible reading for the day, then Deacon Rober brought the Holy Grail.
Surp Asdvadzadzin Church Foundation President Hrant Moskofyan, foundation administrators and believers were present, and the members of the Church’s Koğtan choir sang the hymns under the direction of their conductor Hovsep Kuyumcuyan.
His Holiness the Patriarch preached in Armenian and Turkish during Surp Badarak.
Following the sermons, the Lord’s Prayer was recited. Senior Father Krikor performed the mass repentance, and then the distribution of “Hağortutyun” (communion) began.
After Surp Badarak, the Cross was placed in the water, with the reason the Armenian Apostolic Church also celebrate the Baptism of Jesus Christ on the same day, and then His Holiness the Patriarch blessed the water with that “Cross” accompanied by prayers and hymns, symbolically depicting Jesus Christ’s baptism.
Afterwards, Patriarch Sahak II left the church in a cortege and went to the reception hall in the Patriarchate building, accompanied by hymns. Here, firstly, Patriarch Sahak II blessed the bread, salt and water. He wished that the New Year would be blessed for the Patriarchate. Then, refreshments were served to those in the hall, and His Holiness the Patriarch once again congratulated those in the hall on Christmas. Then, those who wanted to speak made short speeches. Afterwards, the ceremony ended with the final blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch and his words “Jesus was born and appeared, great news for you and us.”
