Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions surrounding the whole world, with the permissions and measures taken by the Turkish Armenian Patriarchate, the Zadig Surp Liturgy (Holy Offering) rites held in churches with clergy, despite it was closed to the public, ensured this year’s Easter to be enthusiastic.
As in the big week, the ceremonies of Cırakaluyts (Resurrection Eve), Surp Zadig (Resurrection Feast) and Merelots (commemoration of those who sleep in the Lord) were broadcast on the patriarchate’s fb page, allowing believers to accompany the liturgy from their homes.
The Cırakaluyts Holy Liturgy, which was held in Feriköy Surp Vartanants Church on Saturday, April 03, by the hand of Priest Hovagim Serovpyan, was broadcast on the patriarchate’s Facebook page. While the Deacons and readers of the Church served the Lord’s Supper, members of the Vartanants Choir also sang the hymns.
While the Surp Zadig Liturgy (Resurrection Feast Mass) was held in churches with religious officials on Sunday, April 4, the Holy Communion was broadcast on the Patriarchate’s Facebook page by the hand of the Turkish Armenian Patriarch Sahak II.
The ceremony started with Patriarch Sahak II entering through the main gate with “Hıraşapar”. Priests, Fathers, Deacons and readers affiliated to the patriarchate were present at the ceremony. Members of the Patriarchal Armaş Choir sang the hymns under the direction of Diakos Edvin Galiboğlu.
Patriarch Sahak II spoke the sermons of Surp Zadig in Armenian and Turkish before the distribution of “Hagortutyun” (Holy Bread-Communion). After the Holy Bread was distributed, the ceremony came to an end with His Beatitude the Patriarch going out with the “Tapor” (Cortege).
Patriarch Sahak II gave his Armenian sermon starting with the words; “Krisdos Haryav i Merelots. Orhnyal e Harutyunun Krisdosi” (Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Holy is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ). Celebrated everyone’s Surp Zadig (Resurrection Feast). In summary; He stated that it is the biggest Feast of the Armenian Church calendar, that every Christian should understand the importance of this great day, that the greatest dream of humanity, the desire to defeat death, is realized with the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the key to the resurrection of every believer is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He celebrated the Resurrection Feast of all clergy affiliated to the patriarchate, Armenian community institutions and organizations, and sister churches.
Some titles from the Turkish sermon are as follows:
“This holiday is essentially the realization of the impossible. It is the opening of a secret that is always hidden from our eyes.
If God does not graciously save us from the darkness of death, our souls will suffer until the day of resurrection. Jesus described it as outer darkness. <There will be crying and grinding of teeth> he said.
Jesus knew what he was doing. Jesus’ death and suffering were not accidental. It was not a black fate. Rather, it was the order of creation, life-giving, death, and re-birth, which God followed throughout creation.
Jesus Christ set an example for all of us, teaching us how to take the last breath. <O Father, I surrender my soul into your hands.> and said <I’m done.>
Jesus actually began to speak with his loudest voice after he died, he spoke with Zadig (Resurrection) and announced it to the whole world. <I have come and brought fire to the earth. If it has already ignited, I am happy.> He threw the fire of love into the world, the fire of hope into the world, and filled our hearts with a great faith.
Dear brothers and sisters, this happy day is the happiest day of all of us. This should be our individual holiday. Because only we can share in this great hope by faith. We need to unite with Jesus, first by Faith, then by absorbing His words of light, by learning from Him…
Krisdos Haryav i Merelots. Orhniyal e Harutyunın Krisdosi. Tsezi mezi medz Avedis. (Jesus Christ is Risen. Holy is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Great Gospel to you and us).
The Holy Liturgy of Merelots (the day of remembrance of those who sleep in the Lord) took place at the Feriköy Surp Vartanants Church by the hand of Father Natan Arabian on Monday, April 5th. Deacon Setrak Davuthan and Deacon Armenak Kazandjian served the Lord’s Supper. The members of the Vartanants choir sang the chants under the direction of their Chief Adrushan Hallaçyan.
At 1.30 pm, the Hokehankist prayers ceremony for all those who sleep in the Lord was held by Father Şirvan Mürzyan and Father Natan Arabian at the Şişli Armenian cemetery. A small number of believers accompanied the prayers.
