Sacrament of Resurrection, part 1


Why is the sacrament of resurrection considered to be the core of the Christian faith? What does it mean to believe in the miracle of resurrection? Is it a miracle in reality? Perhaps the faith for resurrection is meant to overcome the fear of death? Is it human to doubt in the resurrection of Christ? Is faith and resurrection subject to be scientifically prooved? ''A nation, who has made the concept of Resurrection into a name, what else do you expect...?''
The participants of the program explain the sacrament of resurrection in their unique manner:

Feast of the Cross


Father Asoghik Karapetyan and Father Smbat Sargsyan are telling about those amazing traditions that laid the grounds for the Feast of the Cross. The priests are reflecting on the sacrament of the feast and the role of the Cross in the lives of Christian.

How to Confess


There are two methods for the sacrament of confession -- general and individual. A believer may attend the general confession before or during the Divine Liturgy. Confession is one part of the 7 sacraments of our Church -- repentance. Spiritual Fathers have given a number of keys to clean the spirit. These can be helpful for us today, in particular, in the period of Lent, in the face of the glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Godfather of the Cross


In Mayravank, the Godfather for the Water Blessing following the Chritmas Mass, was Sen Srevshatyan. The academician recalls his feelings at the tabernacle of Holy Church, the attatitude his family had for the Church and the clergy, his secret baptism and its overall impact on his future life and profession. What are the principal stops of on one's way as he/she makes through life, what is happiness and what does the renown and favorite scientist dream about?

The Spirit of our Fathers


The Battle of Avarayr is not just a mere memory. It walked along Armenians throughout the course of history, provided newer energy and served as an example of patriotism, which was made apparent during the Artsakh war. The film "The Spirit of our Fathers" addresses the importance of the Battle of Avarayr in historical, political, ethical, spiritual sense.

Why Vardanank (the Vardsns) specifically became a symbol in the wars faught for the sake of faith and the Homeland? How could people compare the Vardans for centuries compare with its present time, what is the modern perception of the Vardan commanders? These are the main issues discussed by the literary critics Vazgen Safaryan, Vardan Devrikyan, historians Petros Hovhannisyan, as well as Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, a military Armenak Avagyan.

Candle Lighting


Candle lighting is the most godly traditions of our Church. Many attribute a supernatural power to lighting candle. Fr. Adam Makaryan, a priest from Holy Etchmiadzin, tells about the origination of the tradition of candle lighting candles and its present role for a believer.

Transfiguration


Transfiguration is one of the five Tabernacle Feasts of Armenian Church. Rev. Fr. Markos Mangasaryan andDeacon Varazdat Kocharyan talk about the origination of this Feast, what does it symbolize and its message to the believers.

Tomar (calendar)


Tomar is the synonym of the the word 'calendar'. There is a commonly known opinion, based on which the calendar was created in the result of human economic activity. In Grigor Brutian's opinion, a tomar specialist, this is a one-sided and faulty approch. Tomar is a system for time division and it has to do, in the first place, with religion and human understanding of relegion. The bronze brace discovered in 1946, in Sanahin, a number of pictograms found in Syunik, testify that our ancestors had a rather developed knowledge of calendar. Why does the Armenian Church celebrate the Holy Birth (Christmas) in January 6, what are the historical events behind the tradition of celebrating the New Year in January?
The program ''Tomar'' provides interesting and useful information on the internal pattern of Armenian calendar, old and new calendars.

The Preacher


The program is about the preaching activity of Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, his image and life as a preacher. Bishop Sahak reflects on the overall role of a sermon for the Christian Church. During the program excerpts from his sermons preached in various places are aired: ''Our ecclesiastical position is a verbal one. The word is the foundation of everything'', - says Bishop Sahak.

Sunrise Service


Sunrise Service takes place during the Lent, early morning, at 7:30. This service was established back in 7th century, by Catholicos Ezr 1 of Parazhnakert. This is how Karekin I, of blessed memory, described the Sunrise service: ''There is a marvelous, mystery-full concept in this -- welcoming the Sun rising over the world with prayer, moving the light felt through prayeronto one's inner world by opening upspiritually to the light conceivable''.

Holy Thursday


Following the fourty-day Lend, penitence, repentance, the Church enters a stage, where it has to address the last days of Jesus Christ earthly life -- establishment of the sacrament of resurrection, foot washing, the betrayal, the passion and crucifixion. All days of Holy week are full of ritual-ceremonials; however, Holy Thursday is the richest of them. The sacraments of foot washing and Holy Communion are presented by Reverend Father Zakaria Baghumyan.

With the Love of Holy Echmiadzin


Archimandrite Zareh Paronyan was born in Bucharest. His primary education is pedagogy. He was the first Diasporan student in Yerevan Pedagogical Vocational School. Following the example of his beloved compatriot - the Catholicos Vazgen, he entered Gevorgyan Seminary. With the love of Holy Echmiadzin: the distinguished pastor-archimandrite serving in the Armenian Diocese of Romania tells about the turns of life of the priest and a believing man.