Kuwait Times

Published Date: January 08, 2009
By Ben Garcia, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: The Armenian community residing in Kuwait celebrated Christmas, Epiphany, and Jesus Christ's Baptism (revelation of Christ's divinity) on January 6, at their church compound located in Salmiya. Addressing the congregation, Archbishop Dr. Goriun Babian, Armenian Prelacy of Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf countries, condemned Israeli attacks in Gaza and expressed grief at the death of innocent women and children during the on-going military operation against Hamas by Israeli forces.

The place where Jesus Christ was born, unfortunately, experiences no peace during these days. We want this unjustified killing to stop and we pray for peace in the Middle East and the entire world. We are in distress, the entire Christendom as well as other communities are very troubled at what has been going on in that part of the world," he mentioned.

A number of Armenians in Kuwait and some visitors from other Christian denominations attended the High Mass. The celebrations on Tuesday were the highest forms of worship at held at the Armenian Church considering that three occasions were celebrated simultaneously. Armenian Christians thronged the church early morning to receive Holy Communion, listen to sermons and receive a cup of water blessed by the Archbishop which is believed to heal many diseases.

In an interview to Kuwait Times explaining the January 6 rituals, Archbishop Goriun explained, "The water from the small pond is blessed. We consecrate a holy oil in the pond and place the silver cross symbolizing Christ in it. After the mass, we allow our congregation to drink the water. Some people drink a little and take the rest home which we believe can heal sickness. It is sacred because the divinity of Jesus Christ appears in this very water," he explained.

Unlike other Christians, according to Babian, the Armenian Church has managed to preserve the original date where church festivities are celebrated. "During the early years of Christianity, the Pope was troubled about the famous pagan traditions of December 25. In order to veer Christians away from pagan traditions, the Pope decided to move Christmas celebrations to December 25, a day where pagans celebrate festivities of their sun god. Since then, other Christian denominations began celebrating Christmas
on December 25, instead of the original January 6 celebrations," he explained.

He elaborated, "We don't turn Christmas into an occasion for merely eating and drinking because we don't want to lose its original meaning and spiritual value. For Armenians, Santa Claus comes during New Year. Children receive Christmas gifts on New Year instead of December 25," he further explained.

In the same sermon, Archbishop Babian thanked His Highness the Amir and the Kuwait government for agreeing to host about 5,000 Armenians in Kuwait, for the freedom to practice religion. He prayed that peace will prevail in Kuwait. He also wished the entire Armenian community in the Middle East good health, prosperity and more blessings. "On this occasion, I pray to God to grant you peace and tranquility, preserve the message of Jesus Christ in your soul and spread it throughout the community," he added.

The center of Armenian Church in the Middle East is located in Kuwait. Apart from Kuwait, Archbishop Babian also looks after the spiritual well-being of other Armenian communities that are based in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Iran.