In the Lenten itinerary of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, he visited St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church on Friday, March 8, 2013 to participate and oversee the Lenten vespers in the church.
The Lenten vespers are a spiritually uplifting and a natural invitation to prayer and penance in the church. There were a good number in the church on that night; and Srbazan Hayr was assisted by the Rev. Father Serop Azarian, Pastor and the deacon of the church.
Vespers include the compline and rest services with the chants like “Shnorhya Mez Ter” (Grant us O Lord) and “Nayats Sirov” (Look with charity). It is rich with psalmody and hymns and has a touch with the night that it is said in. It prepares the mind and soul of the Orthodox Christian to the rest of the night with prayers and supplications. The doxologies and introits are all a call to pray and ask for forgiveness and prepare for the new day in the Lord that He grants with His mercy.
The prayers continue with the beautiful prayers turned into hymns like those of St. Gregory of Narek in the likes of “Unkal Kaghtsroutyamp” (Accept with mercy) and St. Nerses the Graceful “Ee Ken Haytsemk” (We ask of You). It ends with the final set of prayers and benediction made in the monastery of Sevan in the middle ages.
Srbazan Hayr took this blessed opportunity to examine and explain the weeks of the Lenten Period. His fatherly words were graceful to explain about the Holy Fathers of the Chruch and instruct the faithful to remain strong in faith and merciful towards one another. He gave examples from the parables of Christ in which the negative and positive characters do come together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Following the Vespers Service the faithful gathered beneath the church to celebrate together in joy of the Lenten period. There was a joyful mood in earnest preparation for the upcoming Holy Week and Easter Resurrection of the Lord Christ. Children of the Sunday School came together and sang a song for the congregants. Coffee, Lenten cakes and sweets were served.
May the grace, peace and love of the Lord bless St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church and grant his divine mercies upon us who call upon His Holy name. On Sunday, March 10th Srbazan Hayr will oversee and deliver the sermon to the faithful in the same church.
