Sticking with the traditional Christmas

Bryce Alderton

COSTA MESA -- They came from near and far to celebrate the Armenian

Christmas here Sunday.

Church officials at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa

estimated about 700 worshipers packed into the church to celebrate the

Epiphany, meaning “revelation of God,” the central theme of the Christmas

season in the Armenian Church.

Major events celebrated are the Nativity of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem

and the Blessing of the Waters celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ in

the Jordan River by John the Baptist, thereby beginning Christ’s

missionary work in the world to serve people, said Vahran Biricik, the

church’s Parish Council chairman.

St. Mary’s worship is Gregorian, with the traditional role of the

priest as intercessor, the deacon offering the litany and the choir and

congregation chanting responsively.

Armenians have celebrated Christmas on Jan. 6 for more than 1,700

years.

All Christian churches celebrated Christ’s birth on Jan. 6 until the

fourth century, when the Roman Catholic Church changed the date from Jan.

6 to Dec. 25 to override a pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the Sun,

which was celebrated on Dec. 25, according to Roman Catholic sources.

Armenia was not affected by the change because it was not a satellite

of the Roman Catholic Church and because there were no pagan practices in

Armenia.

Sunday provided a chance to worship in the morning and then head off

to friends’ or families’ houses to eat, exchange gifts or simply to have

a good time.

Churchgoers greeted each other with handshakes, hugs and wishes of

“Merry Christmas” as they exited after the two-hour service.

Huntington Beach resident Angea Barela smiled as she held hands with

neighbor Anna Yogurtian as the two exited the church. It was Barela’s

first time attending a service at the church and she couldn’t be happier.

“The music, the people were almost the same as in a Catholic church,”

Barela said. “I feel something deep when I hear the music, I enjoyed it

very much.”

With words of compassion, caring and love, Father Moushegh Tashjian

reminded the congregation of the significance of the day, the freedoms

they enjoy in the United States and of America’s resolve in the wake of

the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“The terrorists did not achieve their goal because they found

something unexpected -- resolve, determination, heroism at its bravest

and charity at its most generous kind,” Tashjian said. “Today is a story

of compassion, caring and of intense love showing you are loved.”

The Eyvazian family drives from Carlsbad as often as they can to

attend Sunday services at St. Mary’s and were there again Sunday.

“This is a great day, we’re going to party now,” said Greg Eyvazian,

just as they family prepared to return to Carlsbad to celebrate with

seven other families.

* Bryce Alderton is the news assistant. He may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at o7 bryce.alderton@latimes.comf7 .