Alexandria is a city almost synonymous with learning. The Library of Alexandria was the foremost repository of the written word in the ancient world. It was most likely established by Ptolemy II, ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt between 308 and 246 …
This Saturday, January 11, 2020, Bishop Sahak Maşalyan, Patriarch-elect of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul) will officially be enthroned as Patriarch Sahak II, the 85th Patriarch of the Constantinople. According to traditional history, this position has existed since 1461 …
Right before St. Stephen is stoned to death, the Book of Acts tells us that “he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this against them.’” (Acts 7:60). This prayer, moments before his martyrdom, should …
O blessed Saint Ephrem, intercede with Christ on behalf of those who celebrate your feast-day, you who have drunk the flowing waters of grace from the heavenly spiritual streams, just as the ranks of the Apostles in the upper room …
Tomorrow, December 11, 2019, delegates from the Armenian Apostolic churches in Turkey will elect the 85th Patriarch of Istanbul (Constantinople), the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Turkey. This past Sunday, all eligible members of the Armenian Apostolic Church …
Every Armenian is familiar with ԿոմիտասՎարդապետ, Komitas/Gomidas Vartabed, revered musicologist and priest of the Armenian Church, whose 150th anniversary of birth we celebrate this year. While his collection and transcription of folk songs are perhaps his most important legacy, he …
Last week, we discussed the խազ/khaz, the enigmatic signs dotting the liturgical books of the Armenian Apostolic Church. For centuries, these were the only system of notating Armenian liturgical music, the only way of writing down melodies and rhythms that …
Every deacon and many choir members have encountered the enigmatic symbols in the pages of liturgical books such as the Շարակնոց/Sharagnots (Hymnal) or the Ժամագիրք/Jamakirk (Book of Hours). They appear as squiggles and lines above and between the rows of …
Today, after the example of Adam, the first-created, who was rejoicing in the Garden of delight with the angels, let us rejoice too in spiritual praise. -Midday Hymn for “New Sunday,” in Tone 8 New Sunday in the Armenian …
For many people, the sermon is their favorite part of the Badarak, the Divine Liturgy. Delivered in the vernacular—the language spoken by the average person—it is often the only portion of the service in English (or modern Armenian, or whichever …