Holy Badarak Instills a Sense of Hope and Renewal

Parents Agree on the Importance of a Church-Based Foundation

By Paulette K. Doudoukjian

In the last issue of The Armenian Church, several youth expressed their respectful opinions on how participating in the Holy Badarak positively effects them and their daily life. Now, the parents of these same youth share their experiences with the Holy Badarak. In many instances, their views appear to be parallel to that of their child.

The Holy Badarak is a solemn celebration of the Christian faith among the Armenian people. When examining the impact and importance of this biblically-based service with the faithful throughout the Diocese, no matter the age, similar views emerge.

For example, Nancy Hovnanian, the mother of Karinne who talked in the last issue of how the service calms her, echoed sentiments similar to her daughter's. "By attending the Badarak, it helps to gather my thoughts together for the upcoming week," said Nancy who describes the Holy Badarak as peaceful.

Nancy, currently the Sunday School Superintendent of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cheltenham, PA, feels a renewal of spirit when she attends church, especially immediately before and during the Eucharist. She explains that during "Meeayn Soorp" (One Holy) through "Der Voghormya" (Lord Have Mercy) is her time to meditate and work out any problems that may be burdening her.

Georgette Mrofcza, organist for the St. Gregory Armenian Church in Chicago, IL, concurs and elaborates on what the badarak means to her. "It is the essence of what I am. It is about my walk with Christ and where I go to refuel after a week of not even coming close to where I want to be as a Christian," states Georgette, clearly and honestly. "It is my reminder to my soul that I am forgiven time and time again through the sacrament of Holy Communion."

Anahid Khachoyan, an active member of the St. George Armenian Church in Hartford, CT, adds to that aspect of Holy Communion. "The badarak is an invitation to witness God's love for man and to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist." Anahid continues, "I find it most powerful to contemplate the profound prayers. But simply, the badarak inspires me and fills me with hope."

Hope is the one theme that resonates by the parents who shared their thoughts about this sacred, Christ-centered service. This aspect of hope is directly related to what is taken from the badarak on a weekly basis--hope for the future grounded in the love of Christ.

Anahid explains that is important for her daughters, Dihana and Athena, to have the spiritual foundation to carry on through their life. The Armenian Church helps to provide this foundation for the future.

Georgette and her husband also strive to raise their two boys, Greg and Sam, to know the importance of Christ in their life. "I want my children to learn that without a Christian base, there is no hope in one's life, marriage; and I want them to learn that so that when they come to all those crossroads in their life, there will be no question about which road to choose."

Karen Durgarian, a faithful parishioner of the Armenian Church of Metro-West, MA, reiterates this critical link between the church and a well-grounded family. "I believe this is a time for our family to show our thanks to God and to commune with Him. I wish to instill in my children that it is first and most important to give of yourself and learn the Christian way of life."

Holly Dadekian from the St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY, adds, "As a parent, I feel the greatest gift we can give our children is the gift of love and spirit of the Armenian Church."

Collectively, the passion and dedication these parents relay towards the Armenian Church and the badarak in particular, is something to be admired in today's society. It is also evident that this foundation was laid for them in their own upbringing.

Georgette tells of her memories as a youngster attending church with her Godmother and singing in the choir. She knew then that church to her was a very special place. But as a teenager, she credits the St. Nersess Summer Study Program for bringing the whole badarak to life for her. "It was there that I learned what it all meant."

Though most of these mothers admit that there was a time, naturally so, when they questioned either their faith or the teachings and practices of the Armenian Church, they've all returned with renewed vigor.

"The desire to raise my children in the Armenian Church summoned me back. Where else can one find a more moving and inspiring service filled with the visual beauty and the symbolism but in the Armenian Church?" states Anahid.

The Holy Badarak is also filled with a sense of community as people come together to worship as one body. This is especially important to Nancy who explains that attending church simply reaffirms that she is not alone in many regards. "I believe that there is something else besides just ourselves."

This is also explained in the Introduction of the Divine Liturgy pew books, "Furthermore, our worship belongs to the entire Church. The Divine Liturgy is not just people saying their own private prayers in the same place at the same time. Worship means a community together in heart, soul and mind, praying to God 'with one accord,' 'with one mouth,' 'with one word,' as the prayers of the Divine Liturgy say."

However, even though the Armenian Church and its congregation worship as a community, the Holy Badarak is still very personal. People walk away at the end of the service each taking with them something different.

Karen explains that singing the Hayr Mer (Lord's Prayer), "Always makes me feel the awe in truly speaking to God."

Holly poetically summarizes that when she is in church and focuses on the painting of Mary with her son, Jesus, which is found at the altar of every Armenian Church, the following takes place within her:

When I am sad, they look at me to hold my hand

When I feel sorrow, they look at me with reassurance.

When I feel frustration, they look at me with hope.

When I feel love, they look at me with joy.

When I feel happiness, they look at me with glee.

I don't know how they change their looks, but they always know what I need and they understand.

Overall, the Armenian Church, through the love and hope of Jesus Christ as celebrated in the Holy Badarak, appears to provide both the individual and communal spiritual nourishment that is needed to ground the lives of many.