Armenian Church - Interesting Experience

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First, let me say - I don’t know if the Armenian Church is an Orthodox, Byzantine, Eastern, or special rite - or under the Pope, and I haven’t gone to research before posting here…So, I’m not sure if this should have gone under another heading. But my question does have to do with Old versus New.

I had occasion today to visit an Armenian Church (I’d never been to one and expected some things to be different). It was beautiful. There was a main altar (with a painting of Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus over it) and two side altars. But all three had candles hanging and lit - so, I wasn’t sure WHERE the Blessed Sacrament was. I asked a man who walked in. First, he didn’t know WHAT I meant when I said, “Where’s the Blessed Sacrament?” Once I clarified “the Host” - he pointed to the main altar almost as if to say, ‘of course, where else?’ Below the painting of Our Lady, it seemed the Tabernacle was not as large as ones we’re used to.

But I almost felt embarassed. Imagine reaching a point where a Catholic has to ask! (unless in you’re in St. Peter’s or major Basilica with a side altar for the Blessed Sacrament) - Ordinarily, you just know - that the Blessed Sacrament is at the most central part of the Church. It just hit me today when this gentleman pointed to the center altar - and must have thought I was nuts for asking.
And that was MY day !
 
The Armenian Church is Oriental Orthodox, so it split off from the Catholic Church after the third or fourth counsel I believe.

One thing about the orthodox is they don’t worship the Eucharist like Catholics do. One Orthodox explained it to me this way, “Jesus said, take this and eat it, not take this and stick it in a monstrance and pray to it” and while I politely disagree, that is their understanding. So they don’t have much of an incentive to know where the blessed sacrament is. The reason there is always the eucharist present on the altar is so that if someone is sick or dying it can be given to them, not to be prayed to.
 
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