PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]
24 October 2007
PRIMATE SPEAKS AT EASTERN LITURGIES STUDY DAY
Sydney, Australia – At the invitation of Dr Ken Parry of the Department of
Ancient History at Macquarie University, Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand presented
a lecture at the Eastern Liturgies Study Day held at Macquarie University on
Saturday, 20 October, 2007.
The Study Day offered the opportunity to hear speakers from different
Eastern Christian churches discuss various aspects of their liturgical
traditions. Beside the Armenian Apostolic Church were representatives from
the Serbian, Coptic and Greek Churches each providing insights into the
importance of the liturgy for Eastern Christians.
The Study Day was organised by the Society for the Study of Early
Christianity, an affiliate of the Ancient History Documentary Research
Centre of Macquarie University. The Society was established in 1987 with
the aim of studying the New Testament in its times and the development of
early Christianity; building up resources for this study; and organising
conferences, public lectures and seminars for its members.
In its Background Statement the Society states: "The study of Christianity
poses important historical questions and intense interest has surrounded the
investigation of its origins in the first century and the early phases of
its growth. Fresh information on this period continues to become available
in astonishing quantities, ripe for research. Macquarie University is also
committed to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in these areas."
In his lecture, Archbishop Baliozian enlightened the audience on the history
and development of the Armenian Divine Liturgy and its structure. The
institution of the Divine Liturgy – Soorp Badarak – Holy Sacrifice is rooted
in the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. After a
traditional ritual meal that included prayers, psalms, breaking bread and
sharing a cup of wine, it was on this occasion Jesus proclaimed "This is my
body which is for you" and established, "This cup is the new covenant in my
blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." The
earliest known writings in the Armenian language show that Armenians
considered the principal expression and proclamation of their Christian
faith to be the Badarak, the service centred on the communion of Christ’s
Body and Blood. And despite the tumultuous history of the Armenian nation,
its people have found ultimate hope and meaning in Holy Communion with God
in the Divine Liturgy.
The Archbishop’s lecture was so well-received it attracted a lengthy
question-answer time of thirsty interest. "It is so inspirational when
non-Armenians derive such pleasure from learning about the Biblically-based
canons of ancient churches like the Armenian Apostolic Church" said
Archbishop Baliozian, "I was very encouraged by the remarks of appreciation
expressed for better understanding the ancient practices that are rooted in
the Eastern rite."