HOSPITAL HOSTS CHRISTMAS RITUAL
By Zain Shauk

Burbank Leader
01/07/religion/blr-christmas07.txt
Jan 7 2009
CA

Armenian Christmas started early for Glendale Memorial Hospital
patients, who received a visit and a celebratory snack from employees
Monday morning.

Round loaves of gata, a sweet bread that many Armenians eat on
Christmas, were a part of the room-to-room surprises offered by
Chaplain Larry Johnson and other participants Monday who hoped to
brighten up the holiday experience for patients.

"As you walk in, people’s faces light up," Johnson said of the
difference the holiday visits made for patients. "It’s an obvious
connection that people are happy about."

Armenians traditionally celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6, which they
believe is the day Jesus was born, although traditional prayers begin
for many followers on the night before Christmas, said the Rev. Khajag
Shahbazyan, of Burbank’s Western Diocese of the Armenian Church,
who participated in some visits Monday.

The holiday festivities typically involve offering prayers, thanks
and visiting family and friends, Shahbazyan said.

Many patients of all backgrounds often feel distant from normal
community activities during hospital stays, Johnson said, so Glendale
Memorial employees organize activities to help boost spirits.

"When they find ways to become included in other things, and are folded
back in, it’s really helpful," he said, explaining that the day of
celebration was just one of the activities that Glendale Memorial
has for its patients.

"One of my tasks is tapping into whatever religion or faith the
patient may have and celebrating their tradition," Johnson said.

About 40% of the hospital’s patients are Armenian and enjoy the
room-to-room celebrations, which the hospital has arranged for the last
eight years, said Ramella Markarian, the hospital’s physician relations
coordinator and the woman in charge of this year’s holiday visits.

"It’s very important for them to remember and celebrate these
holidays," Markarian said.

Patients said the visits made them feel more comfortable and happy
on a day they associated with family activities and prayer.

Artur Lisechko, a Burbank resident who was being treated for pneumonia,
was overjoyed to see a pair of Armenian religious figures join two
hospital employees for a visit at his bedside.

"I was excited because the Armenians don’t forget me," Lisechko said
of the visit.