Archbishop Goriun Babian visits Sharjah – Dubai
Azad-Hye, Dubai
23 December 2006
On the second part of his visit to the United Arab Emirates, His Eminence
Archbishop Goriun Babian, the Catholicosal Representative of the Diocese of
Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf countries transferred to Sharjah, where he held
a meeting on the 13th November 2006 with the members of legislative and
executive bodies in Sharjah – Dubai. The meeting took place in the assembly
hall of the Saint Krikor the Illuminator Armenian Church in Sharjah. The
following two subjects were discussed:
1- The Council of the Armenian Community in Northern Emirates suggested
conducting the Temagan elections on 9th February 2007, considering that the
period from 17th January to 2nd February 2007 coincides with the school
year’s mid-term vacations.
2- Establishment of daily Armenian school:
Several weeks ago a decision was reached to hold a consultative meeting on
19th November 2006 with the participation of Archbishop Babian, members of
both legislative and executive bodies and Harout Ohanesian, the benefactor
of the Armenian weekly school of Sharjah. Unfortunately, due to
circumstances beyond personal will, the benefactor and several other members
will not be able to attain the meeting. It was therefore considered right to
postpone it to December (Archbishop Goriun will be visiting Sharjah again on
December to attend the 25th anniversary celebrations of the school).
Nevertheless, all the members insisted on conducting this meeting as soon as
possible in order to clarify several pending issues.
Holy Mass in Sharjah on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the
inauguration and official blessing ceremony of the Saint Krikor the
Illuminator Armenian Church of Sharjah (1998-2006)
Until recently it was a tradition in Sharjah to celebrate the Name Day of
the Sharjah Church on the commemoration day of Saint Krikor’s entry to the
deep dungeon (moodn i virab). The sacrificial offerings (madagh) were
prepared on the same occasion. Considering that the above commemoration day
often coincides with the period of Greater Lent (Medz Bahk), and
specifically with the week that goes before the Palm Sunday (Dzaghgazart) –
during which the consumption of meat was a serious cause of contempt by the
believers – it was deemed therefore appropriate to detach the Name Day
celebration of the Saint Krikor Church from the sacrificial offerings day.
This first time experience proved to be very successful.
In the evening of 16th November 2006 special ceremony took place followed by
the blessing of the meat and salt. Soon afterwards the whole night
preparation of the madagh took place with the collective effort of 50
persons.
In the morning of the following day (17 November 2006) Archbishop Babian
performed the Holy Mass ritual with the presence of several hundreds of
Armenians from Sharjah – Dubai and nearby locations. It is worth mentioning
that thanks to the efforts of Der Aram Deyirmenjian a four-part mixed choir
was formed in Sharjah, which on this occasion performed composer Yegmalian’s
famous Divine Liturgy.
Archbishop Babian delivered a sermon on the subject of pilgrims and
pilgrimages in general and the offering of sacrificial meat and its meaning.
He referred to the centuries-long history of the Armenian Church which
reflected the history of the Armenian nation.
Following the Holy Mass a procession (consisted of the clergy and the
laymen) entered the community hall, where cauldrons were holding the
well-cooked madagh. Following the blessing of the madagh the believers sang
the semi-official anthem of Cilician Catholicosate "When the doors of hope
open" (Yerpor patsvin trnern huso).
Visit to the Ohanesian weekly school
During the visit to the Ohanesian weekly School Archbishop Babian expressed
his appreciation for the great job the Head of School Lorig Katerjian and
the rest of the education staff have been doing. He noted that the school is
experiencing increase in the number of students (160 this school year
compared to 125 in the previous year 2005-2006), covering all stages from
Kindergarten up to the eight grade.
Source: Excerpts from the report prepared by the office of the Diocese of
Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf Country, 22 November 2006. English translation
by Azad-Hye.
_______________________________________ _
Photos:
1- Preparation of the sacrificial offerings (madagh).
2- Blessing of meat and salt.
3- Sermon delivered by Archbishop Babian.
4- Believers follow the Holy Mass.
5- The procession moving towards the community hall.
6- Requiem service and blessing of the herisa (a special recipe prepared
from the madagh sheep or chicken roaster)
7- The ordained choristers.
See Armenian text and photos at:
Id=371daf93