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 .
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