Easter, Surp Zadik (Resurrection), which is accepted as the Resurrection Day of Jesus Christ by Christians, was celebrated enthusiastically in the Karasun Manuk Armenian Church of Iskenderun, without the participation of the congregation, due to the epidemic measures that affected the whole world.
Starting with the words Krisdos Haryavi Merelots, Orhniyale Harutyu’s Krisdosi, Sezi Mezi Mez Avedis (Christ Resurrected from the Dead, Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ, great news to you), Surp Badarak, (Holy Mass) is performed by the hand of Hatay Armenian Churches Religious Officer Avedis Tabaşyan, and hymns were sung by the readers Yusuf Tabaş, Yuhanna Tabaş, Davud Saraçoğlu and Minas Tabaş.
Avedis Tabashyan, who gave a short sermon at the ceremony held without a congregation, said, ”Holidays are important times when the bonds of love and brotherhood that hold us together are strengthened. Due to the corona virus pandemic that has been affecting the world for two years, we celebrate our holidays without our congregation, but still with enthusiasm. Our wish from Lord Hisus is that this virus pandemic will end as soon as possible and we can celebrate our holidays with crowds, which strengthen our fraternal ties, which symbolize our unity and solidarity” he said.
After the sermon, the congratulatory message of the Patriarch of Turkey, Sahak II, sent to the congregation for the Surp Zadik Feast, was read by Hatay Armenian Churches Religious Officer Avedis Tabasyan. In the message of Patriarch Sahak II said; “On the occasion of the Feast of the Resurrection, with the love we inherited from Christ, deepened in our Faith, renewed in hope, and strengthened in love, let us continue on the bright path of the Resurrected Savior. Encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Lord’s glorious Resurrection, let us once again greet one another today with the words of the blessed gospel; CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! BLESSED THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST!”
The ritual concluded with the blessing of Father Avedis, after the ceremony of consecration of water and salt.
