Prayer Book Applies Armenian Faith to Everyday Life

Speaking with God through prayer is one of the foundations of Christianity.  Every Armenian should do it daily, if not more frequently.

To help guide Armenians in prayer, the Diocese published a new booklet, Armenian Prayers for Daily Life and sent 54,000 copies to Armenian families across the Diocese at Easter.

The prayer book, compiled by Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dr. Abraham Terian, Fr. Kirkor Maksoudian, and Fr. Simeon Odabashian, includes five prayers for use at daily rituals, such as before meal time or bedtime.

After receiving his copy, one recipient, Mr. Nazar Norsigian of Worcester, MA, wrote: "Your pocket-size prayer book is informative and inspirational.  It teaches us to be mindful of God's presence in everyday life."

The text of the prayers was also made available on the Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.org.  Visitors to the site can request a copy of the prayer book.  Almost 400 people requested copies in 2002, with requests continuing into 2003.

A key feature of the prayer book -- both the printed version and the on-line offerings -- is that the prayers appear in English, Armenian, and transliteration.

"I appreciate the Armenian script, the English script, and the Armenian translation.  There are those of us who, at a very early age, went to Saturday School to learn to read and write in Armenian; but through the years, we became removed from our language," wrote Margaret Maynard of Downers Grove, IL, upon receipt of her copy of the prayer book.

The Diocese is working on producing a similar prayer book for 2003.  This version will feature passages from the sublime prayers of St. Gregory of Narek.

Click on the button to order your own copy of Armenian Daily Prayers