ARCHBISHOP CONDEMNS KILLING OF INNOCENTS IN GAZA
By Ben Garcia
Kuwait Times
sid=MjA5NDA5ODYz
Jan 8 2009
Kuwait
KUWAIT: The Armenian community residing in Kuwait celebrated Christmas,
Epiphany, and Jesus Christ’s Baptism (revelation of Christ’s divinity)
on January 6, at their church compound located in Salmiya. Addressing
the congregation, Archbishop Dr. Goriun Babian, Armenian Prelacy of
Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf countries, condemned Israeli attacks in
Gaza and expressed grief at the death of innocent women and children
during the on-going military operation against Hamas by Israeli forces.
The place where Jesus Christ was born, unfortunately, experiences
no peace during these days. We want this unjustified killing to stop
and we pray for peace in the Middle East and the entire world. We are
in distress, the entire Christendom as well as other communities are
very troubled at what has been going on in that part of the world,"
he mentioned.
A number of Armenians in Kuwait and some visitors from other Christian
denominations attended the High Mass. The celebrations on Tuesday were
the highest forms of worship at held at the Armenian Church considering
that three occasions were celebrated simultaneously. Armenian
Christians thronged the church early morning to receive Holy Communion,
listen to sermons and receive a cup of water blessed by the Archbishop
which is believed to heal many diseases.
In an interview to Kuwait Times explaining the January 6 rituals,
Archbishop Goriun explained, "The water from the small pond
is blessed. We consecrate a holy oil in the pond and place the
silver cross symbolizing Christ in it. After the mass, we allow our
congregation to drink the water. Some people drink a little and take
the rest home which we believe can heal sickness. It is sacred because
the divinity of Jesus Christ appears in this very water," he explained.
Unlike other Christians, according to Babian, the Armenian Church
has managed to preserve the original date where church festivities
are celebrated. "During the early years of Christianity, the Pope
was troubled about the famous pagan traditions of December 25. In
order to veer Christians away from pagan traditions, the Pope decided
to move Christmas celebrations to December 25, a day where pagans
celebrate festivities of their sun god. Since then, other Christian
denominations began celebrating Christmas on December 25, instead of
the original January 6 celebrations," he explained.
He elaborated, "We don’t turn Christmas into an occasion for merely
eating and drinking because we don’t want to lose its original
meaning and spiritual value. For Armenians, Santa Claus comes during
New Year. Children receive Christmas gifts on New Year instead of
December 25," he further explained.
In the same sermon, Archbishop Babian thanked His Highness the Amir
and the Kuwait government for agreeing to host about 5,000 Armenians
in Kuwait, for the freedom to practice religion. He prayed that peace
will prevail in Kuwait. He also wished the entire Armenian community
in the Middle East good health, prosperity and more blessings. "On
this occasion, I pray to God to grant you peace and tranquility,
preserve the message of Jesus Christ in your soul and spread it
throughout the community," he added.
The center of Armenian Church in the Middle East is located in
Kuwait. Apart from Kuwait, Archbishop Babian also looks after the
spiritual well-being of other Armenian communities that are based in
Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Iran.