In Armenian Apostolic Churches, on Sunday, August 15, the Feast of the Virgin Mary was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey, Sahak II, traditionally celebrated the Feast of Verapokhum Surp Asdvadzadzni (Ascension of the Virgin Mary), one of the five great holidays of the Armenian Church. And by going to Vakıflıköy in Hatay Samandağ, the last Armenian village of Turkey, at the Surp Asdvadzadzin (Virgin Mary) Church, the Church’s name day was also celebrated.
Patriarch Sahak II, who came to Vakıflıköy on Friday, 13 August, was greeted at the entrance of the village with traditional dances, accompanied by drums and horns. While Cem Capar, head of Vakıflıköy Surp Asdvadzadzin Church Foundation, headman Berç Kartun, Bedros Kahyaoğlu, and a large crowd of people were present at the welcoming ceremony, Patriarch Sahak II was accompanied by the Religious Officer of the Anatolian Churches Father Avedis Tabaşyan, Senior Father Dırtat Uzunyan, Father Şirvan Mürzyan and Father Şahen Uhanyan. At the entrance of the church, Patriarch Sahak II, who first blessed the salt and bread, which are the symbols of fertility, entered the Church with the “Hıraşapar” prayers.
After the short ceremony in the church, Father Avedis Tabaşyan gave his welcome speech. In response to the Patriarch; He expressed his pleasure to be in the village, the importance of the existence of the village and its people, and wished the Father success in his duty. Afterwards, His Beatitude the Patriarch, who came out of the Church, talked with the village people and with the guests who came from the country and abroad due to the feast.
Patriarch Sahak II. and the accompanying delegation toured the old Armenian villages in the vicinity on Saturday, August 14th. Misak Hergel, one of the notables of the village, accompanied them. First, we went to the old Church in Yoğunoluk Village. Here, information was obtained from Misak Hergel about the history of the village and the church. Then there was a collective prayer for all those who sleep in the Lord. Afterwards, we went to the unfinished Church in Batıayaz Village. Patriarch Sahak II, who got information in here too, prayed collectively with his entourage .
On Saturday evening, the traditional “salvation blessing” prayers took place. The Patriarch presided over the ceremony in the church. Senior Father Dırtat Uzunyan, Father Shirvan Murzyan, Father Shahen Uhanyan, Father Avedis Tabashyan, senior reader Misak Hergel, and reader Yusuf Tabas performed the chants at the ceremony. After the ceremony in the church, they went out to the garden, where the salt consecration ceremony took place.
On Saturday evening, Herisa (keşkek) cauldrons prepared in the churchyard were burned by the hand of Patriarch Sahak II, accompanied by prayers. These 7 cauldrons symbolize the Armenian villages of Musadağ in history.
The Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey Sahak II presided over the Holy Badarak, which was held by Father Avedis Tabasyan on Sunday, August 15 at Vakıflıköy Surp Asdvadzadzin Church. Father Şahen Uhanyan, Senior Readers Aren Kuş, Misak Hergel, and reader Yusuf Tabaş served the sacrament. Under the direction of Senior Father Dırtat Uzunyan, Father Şirvan Mürzyan, Father Şahen Uhanyan and readers sang the hymns. At the end of the mass attended by Latin Catholic Father Gregorio Bruno Simonelli, Iskenderun and Vakıflıköy Armenian Apostolic Churches Foundation presidents and administrators, believers from home and abroad, and villagers, Patriarch Sahak II gave a sermon in Armenian and Turkish.
He celebrated and congratulated Father Avedis for his service. After the sermon, the reader Yusuf Tabaş was consecrated by the hand of Patriarch Sahak II and received the rank of Senior Reader and was given “urar”. After the ceremony in the church, he went out, where first grapes and then herisa (keşkek) were consecrated by the Patriarch, accompanied by prayers. The ceremony ended with the final blessing of Patriarch Sahak II, who wished that these ceremonies would be celebrated with good health next year as well.
On Sunday evening, the Patriarch met with the village people in the church hall and held a conversation meeting. He received information about the problems of the village. He listened to his troubles. He asked about their wishes and requests from the Patriarchate. He presented his ideas and views on the future of the village.
