Before the Resurrection Festival (Zadig) in the Armenian Apostolic Church, special rites began in the “Great Week” (Avak Şapat). According to the Armenian Church calendar, special rites began to be held every day, starting from Monday until the “Resurrection Feast” (Zadig) (Easter) on Sunday.
The great week rites before the Resurrection Feast; On Great Thursday, the “Holy Offering Rite” (Intriyats Surp Badarak), “Foot washing” (Vodınlıva) Rite and “Night of Sorrow” (Latsi Kişer) prayers were held under the presidency of the Patriarch of Turkey, Sahak II.
While all the rites were closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic measures, all the special rites of the Great Week were published on the Patriarchate’s Facebook page.
On the day of “Great Tuesday” (Avak Yerekşapti), on Tuesday, March 30, morning prayers were held in the memory of “Ten Virgins” (Dası Gusanats) in Bakırköy Virgin Mary (Dzınunt Surp Asdvadzsdzni) Church. At the end of the ceremony, Archpriest Zakeos Ohanyan gave sermons in Armenian and Turkish describing the meaning of the day.
On the other hand, “Great Thursday” (Avak Hinkşapti) took place on Thursday, April 1, at the Galata Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church, with the “Last Supper Holy Offering” (Intriyats Surp Badarak) presided over by Patriarch Sahak II.
Priest Hovagim Serovpyan was also present at the Holy Liturgy, which was presented by Father Shirvan Murzyan, the clergyman of the church. While the spiritual trainees of the Patriarchate served the sacrament, the members of the Patriarchate Armaş Choir sang the hymns under the direction of Diakos Edvin Galiboğlu.
“Faith Is The Key That Unlocks God’s Treasures Before Us”
At the end of the service, His Beatitude the Patriarch preached in Armenian and Turkish. In his sermons, he spoke briefly on the meaning and importance of the sacrament and the Bread. He stated that this “Intriyats Surp Badarak” is also performed by the Armenian Church once a year on “Great Thursday”, in memory of the first Holy Sermon performed by Jesus Christ. He said that since the Holy Bread (Communion) creates a bond with God, all Believers should not stay aloof. He added that Communion allows us not only to connect with God, but also to unite with fellow believers. The ceremony ended with the blessing of Patriarch Sahak II.
The First “Foot Washing” Ceremony Attended and Performed by Patriarch Sahak II
The second ceremony of Great Thursday took place in the Patriarchate Central Church of Mother Mary (Surp Asdvadzsdzin). The “Foot Washing” (Vodınlıva) ceremony, presided over by Patriarch Sahak II, represents the Lord Jesus Christ washing the feet of his disciples at the last supper. Last year, as the Churches were closed due to the pandemic measures, this ceremony was also the first “Vodınlıva” ceremony that Patriarch Sahak II attended and performed. High Priests, Priests and Fathers, who are attached to the office of the Patriarchate, were present at the ceremony. The members of the Patriarchate Armaş Choir performed the hymns under the direction of Diakos Edvin Galiboğlu. In the ceremony that started with the Lord’s prayer, after the prayers and hymns read, water and oil were blessed and the “foot washing” ceremony was started. His Beatitude the Patriarch, kneeling, washed the feet of the clergy in turn and anointed them with blessed oil. Then, Patriarch Sahak II preached in Armenian and Turkish.
In his sermons, he focused briefly on the last supper of the Lord Jesus Christ, and especially on washing the feet of his disciples. Based on the words of Jesus Christ, he stated that all people should be humble. He explained the meaning and importance of this ceremony. The ceremony ended with the Lord’s prayer and the blessing of His Beatitude the Patriarch.
The last ceremony of Great Thursday, “Latsi Kisher” “Khavarum” (Night of Sorrow) prayers started at 9.30 pm. Priests, Fathers, Deacons and readers of the patriarchate were present at the service presided over by Patriarch Sahak II, in which the night of the Lord Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane is commemorated. After Patriarch Sahak II started and after the parts of the Bible that were read in order, all the lights were turned off, the Church was darkened, symbolizing the dark night that the Lord Jesus Christ spent in the garden of Gethsemane, and the invocations of “Lord have mercy” (Der Vogormya) began. Afterwards, in the dark, Patriarch Sahak II gave sermons in Armenian and Turkish, describing the betrayal that took place in the garden of Gethsemane. He spoke on the Bible saying “be on the lookout and pray”. After both sermons, he prayed to God for health, peace, and tranquility.
After the last prayers read after the lights came on, the ceremony ended with the Lord’s prayer and the blessing of His Beatitude the Patriarch.
