Tag Archive for: Pataraq

A Cross where Hearts are Presumed to be

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Armodoxy for Today: Form is Function in the Case of Love

The word for the Divine Liturgy in Armenian is Pataraq which literally means sacrifice. The Holy Cross, along with its witness as victory of good over evil, death over life and love over hatred, is the ideal symbol of sacrifice.

Over the past several days shared the story of the Apparition of the Holy Cross by looking at the Cross as a messenger witnessing the essence of Christianity to us.

On the Day of Resurrection two of Jesus’ disciples meet Jesus yet do not recognize him. In this story, relayed to us by St. Luke, in the 24th chapter of his Gospel, the disciples spend the entire day with Jesus without a clue to who he is. It is only in the evening, when they sit to eat that Jesus breaks the bread. It is only at that point, scripture tells us, that “their eyes were opened and they knew him.”

Now review the story of the Apparition of the Holy Cross. St. Cyril tells us that the Cross was visible throughout the city, that the populace ran to the church in praise of God. In the Holy Communion, we find that Sacrifice shining as great as the Cross. During the Pataraq the priest presents the Holy Communion to the congregation with the words, “This life, hope, resurrection, expiation and forgiveness of sins.”

Today we learn that the meaning of the Cross and the Holy Communion – specifically the Liturgy which prepares the Communion, the Holy Pataraq, is interchangeable with the Cross, and with Christ himself, ergo, the Holy Communion is, in fact, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. As we have taught in Armodoxy, the symbol of Love is Cross (vs. the Western tradition of using a heart as the love symbol.)  When the Holy Cross appears across the sky it is Love shining over the world. And that LOVE is the power that conquered death and is what shown in the sky that day in 351. That LOVE is the only thing that is brighter than the sun! Or in the words of the Evangelist St. John, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of humankind.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it…. The true Light gives light to every human being coming into the world.” (John 1)

We pray, O Christ, Light of the world, You shine where shadows cling, You rise where hearts have fallen, You kindle hope where fear has taken root. You are Light in our darkness, Love in our hands, Life in our midst— remain with us, now and always. Amen.

The Cross of Sacrifice

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Armodoxy for Today: The Cross of Sacrifice

The Cross is the main symbol of Christianity. We erect them atop holy shrines, churches, hospitals, and sacred spaces. We have tiny version of the cross around our neck, pinned to our lapel, and even decorate clothes. The Cross, a symbol of torture and death, was transformed by Christ, into a symbol of victory and life. Jesus conquered the Cross and the empty cross is a symbol of victory, and today we add, it is also a symbol of Sacrifice.

For the last few days, we’ve been diving into the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross and leading up to the glow, or what St. Cyril of Jerusalem described as brighter than the sun. With the theme of Sacrifice, we get closer to finding that brightness.

The central act of worship in the Armenian Church is in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. What other communities refer to as the Divine Liturgy, in Armenian is called Pataraq, literally meaning Sacrifice.

Sacrifice is how love is demonstrated. St. John the Evangelist tells us God is Love. (IJohn 4:8). God is demonstrated through Sacrifice. Take some time to think about this for a moment. Meditate on sacrifice. We have many human examples of sacrifice. Parents – a mother and/or father’s love is expressed through sacrifice of personal time and personal pleasure to tend to the needs of the growing child. Spouses express love to one another by sacrificing, especially through the act of forgiveness, which is a unique type of personal sacrifice. Think of those who put their life on the line for the sake of higher ideas, including community and country safety and welfare. Take some time to think of these examples of sacrifice and how they demonstrate love.

Continue your meditation on Sacrifice. God sacrificed his son as a gesture of His immense love for us. That is what is meant by the most sacred words, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son…” (John 3:16) In this meditation understand that Sacrifice is the verb. It’s in the giving – God gave his son. That action is love.

Now, understand that the word Sacrifice is a descriptor and the name for the Divine Liturgy. In the Armenian Church. It is the Pataraq and it is celebrated every Sunday. (Note: No lambs were slaughtered for this exhibition.)

Today we leave with a meditation from the Gospel of St. John. It is essential to understanding the Cross and the apparition of the Cross in this lesson. In this passage, Jesus defines Sacrifice with a simple metaphor, a metaphor which emphasizes an action: unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (John 12:24f)

Celebrating with God

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Armodoxy for Today: Celebrating with God

Jesus’ words should never be confined to the Church audience nor should they be restricted to any limit imposed by the boundaries of space or time. In other words, Jesus’ words are relevant at all times and to everyone. This, in fact, is another testament to his divinity, but that is the topic for another day. Today we’ll focus in on the topic of celebration within the Church.

The Divine Liturgy – the Holy Pataraq – the central act of worship in the Armenian Church is a celebration. It is never performed, rather it is celebrated, with the officiant being referred to as the “celebrant.”

Tragically, life conditions in the Armenian world left very little to celebrate, especially during the last couple centuries. The Armenian experience has been filled with disasters and war which have led to heartbreak. Armenians sought and found refuge in their church. Church became a place where the poor, the maimed, the brokenhearted and the mourners found comfort. Understandably, the word “celebratory” was hardly the descriptor of the feelings they harbored.

Furthermore, the atmosphere in church is often filled with a sense of reverence and awe, as congregants gather to worship and reflect on their faith. This can be felt through the quiet moments of prayer and the solemnity of rituals. Unfortunately, reverence or sacredness is often interpreted as somber, a state void of positive emotion.

We refer to Jesus’ message as the Gospel – in Armenian Avetaran. It literally means “Good News” – in Armenia Avetis. The Good News should be greeted with joy and festivity – hence the expression of celebration for our community worship. The words of the Divine Liturgy – the hymns and prayers all point to celebration. The Good News is God’s love for each and every one of us, rich or poor, tall or short, black or white, male or female, old and young, and fill in all the blanks you want. They all apply. God’s love is expressed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Celebrate with song, dance and excitement.

We end with the celebration that our Lord describes when he says,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Amen. (Matthew 5)