A HUGE NUMBER OF NEWLY BORN CHILDREN BEING PRESENTED TO THE

[A.R.]

A HUGE NUMBER OF NEWLY BORN CHILDREN BEING PRESENTED TO THE CHURCH

 

On the occasion of the feast of Dearnentarach, His Holiness Aram I presided

over a Church Service Wednesday, February 13, 2002.

 

A huge number of mothers delivered their newly born children to Reverend

Fathers to present them to God, as when newly born Christ, the "Light of

World", was delivered to Simon, the old man, who presented the Child to God.

 

The feast day of Dearnentarach is dedicated to the memory of our heathen

ancestors. St. Gregory The Illuminator Christianized it by tying the meaning

of fire with the Light Christ brought to our lives.

 

At the end of the ceremony His Holiness lighted up a candle from the light

on the altar, for the traditional fire of Dearnentarach, after which, His

Holiness, surrounded by members of the brotherhood of Cilician

Catholicosate, Seminarians and a huge crowd of faithful, moved to the

northern courtyard of the Cathedral to light up the traditional fire. The

crowd turned around the fire performing national songs devoted to St.

Vartan, the General of the Armenian Army, who fought and died alongside St.

Ghevont and His Companions for his Christian faith in the Battle of Avarayr.

 

After the tradition was over, faithful returned peacefully to their houses,

carrying with them the light of Dearnentarach to fulfill their houses and

lives with the "Light of Christ".

 

AR

Praise Jesus Praise His Holy Name!!!!!!!!!