Eucharistic adoration in the Armenian Orthodox and the Armenian Catholic Church

[CatholicLife]

I know that the Armenians have many similarities with the Latin Church. But do they practice Eucharistic Adoration ? I saw this picture

cathedralsofcalifornia.com/?p=161

of an Armenian Orthodox Church, and it surprised me that they had Eucharistic Adoration ? Is this common ?

 

[Formosus]

I know that the Armenians have many similarities with the Latin Church. But do they practice Eucharistic Adoration ? I saw this picture

cathedralsofcalifornia.com/?p=161

of an Armenian Orthodox Church, and it surprised me that they had Eucharistic Adoration ? Is this common ?

That is probably a reliquary, and not a monstrance. I do not beleive the Armenians practice Eucharistic adoration. The reason the Armenians have many practices similar to the Latins is that they adopted some Latin uses from the crusaders in the middle ages.

 

[Ghosty]

That is probably a reliquary, and not a monstrance. I do not beleive the Armenians practice Eucharistic adoration. The reason the Armenians have many practices similar to the Latins is that they adopted some Latin uses from the crusaders in the middle ages.

I’m not sure what uses were adopted from the Latins, other than some vestments. Some, like unleavened bread, certainly predate re-contact with the West.

Peace and God bless!

 

[malphono]

That is probably a reliquary, and not a monstrance. I do not beleive the Armenians practice Eucharistic adoration.

I’m not sure if the Armenians (OC and/or CC) ever adopted the custom of “adoration” (or “exposition” or “benediction”) but I suppose it’s possible (more so for the CC). That said, though, considering its placement, etc, yes, the photo most likely depicts a reliquary.

 

[Formosus]

I’m not sure what uses were adopted from the Latins, other than some vestments. Some, like unleavened bread, certainly predate re-contact with the West.

Peace and God bless!

I beleive the Armenians recite John I at the end of their liturgy just like the EF of the Latin rite. I would imagine that this was adopted from the Latin church. (If I remember correctly, their liturgy also contains a version of the confiteor prayer at the beginning, its been a few years since I went to one of their liturgies).

 

[Madaglan]

I beleive the Armenians recite John I at the end of their liturgy just like the EF of the Latin rite. I would imagine that this was adopted from the Latin church. (If I remember correctly, their liturgy also contains a version of the confiteor prayer at the beginning, its been a few years since I went to one of their liturgies).

Yeah, I’d be interested in learning more about the origins of the “Last Gospel”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Gospel

 

[malphono]

Yeah, I’d be interested in learning more about the origins of the “Last Gospel”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Gospel

If you mean among the Armenians, have a look here

If you mean among the Latins, it seems to have originally been a “sacristy devotion” that was said during the recession. It was ultimately placed in the Missal of Pius V, but its origins and the fact that it is not really integral to the Mass seem to me to be very clear from its placement after the dismissal and final blessing.

 

[Ghosty]

I beleive the Armenians recite John I at the end of their liturgy just like the EF of the Latin rite. I would imagine that this was adopted from the Latin church. (If I remember correctly, their liturgy also contains a version of the confiteor prayer at the beginning, its been a few years since I went to one of their liturgies).

Having not attended EFs, I wasn’t aware of this being a Latin custom. Thanks for the information! As for the confiteor, I would imagine that is indeed from the Latin tradition (though I’m not as familiar with the Latin liturgies), but I don’t know much of the specifics.

I was going to mention that the EF post-dates the Crusade period, but Malphono deals with that somewhat in mentioning that the “Final Gospel” was included in the Pius V Missal. Since that comes from well after the Crusade period I find it interesting that a minor Latin devotion apparently became part of the Armenian Liturgy before it was “officially” added to the Latin.

Peace and God bless!

 

[malphono]

Having not attended EFs, I wasn’t aware of this being a Latin custom. Thanks for the information! As for the confiteor, I would imagine that is indeed from the Latin tradition (though I’m not as familiar with the Latin liturgies), but I don’t know much of the specifics.

It’s my suspicion too that the Confiteor among the Armenians was also borrowed from the Latins, along with the Last Gospel, episcopal mitres, etc. At the same time, though, I can’t say that it’s completely out-of-place since the confiteor is part of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar which, as a whole, have a counterpart in all Eastern & Oriental liturgies (e.g., the Byzantine Prayers Before the Holy Doors).

I was going to mention that the EF post-dates the Crusade period, but Malphono deals with that somewhat in mentioning that the “Final Gospel” was included in the Pius V Missal. Since that comes from well after the Crusade period I find it interesting that a minor Latin devotion apparently became part of the Armenian Liturgy before it was “officially” added to the Latin.

Peace and God bless!

The way I understand it, the custom of reciting the “Last Gospel” at the altar before the recessional crept-in over the course of several centuries. I would guess it had been done in Rome itself for some time before Trent.

 

[I_Fortuna]

I know that the Armenians have many similarities with the Latin Church. But do they practice Eucharistic Adoration ? I saw this picture

cathedralsofcalifornia.com/?p=161

of an Armenian Orthodox Church, and it surprised me that they had Eucharistic Adoration ? Is this common ?

What a great question! It is good to see intelligent posts.

Google the Armenian church and you will discover we are very much alike:

"In the Armenian Church Holy Communion is distributed in the following manner. The communicant stands before the priest, makes the sign of the cross and says Megha Asdoodzo, “I have sinned against God.” The priest then places a small particle of our Lord’s Body and Blood – the bread having been dipped into the wine – directly into the mouth of the communicant. The communicant again makes the sign of the Cross and steps aside for others to approach the blessed sacrament.

After all have received Holy Communion, using the chalice to imprint the sign of the Cross over the communicants, the priest imparts the blessing of Psalm 28:9: “Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; shepherd them and lift them up from henceforth until eternity” [50]."

I have been to the Coptic Church and they also take Holy Communion. It is a long service because it is given both in English and Arabic. I imagine it is similar to the Armenian Church.

Also, in theCoptic Church, women cover their heads and sit sepaately from the men on the right as one enters the sanctuary.

There is an iconic wall or screen that the parishioners walk behind to take communion out of the public eye.

They are very strict but the service is beautiful although long.

I believe the Eastern Churches came before the Roman Catholic Church. The Coptic Church came into Egypt right after the Roman conquest. Many observances today can be traced to Ancient Egyptian Culture including that of prayer.

Google the Armenian Church website. It is very interesting and there are links from there to the history of the Armenian church.