I took a shot at looking at the Divine Liturgy on episode #5 of Compass. What we call the Badarak in the Armenian Church – and how our Badarak translates to our everyday lives.
This is our time to connect with God - our private and collective time to fuel up our spiritual life.
As I've been trying to find a greater understanding of the way our spiritual lives translate to our practical lives – I found myself inspired by artist/illustrator Anush Avejic – Anush was commissioned to illustrate a children’s book to be used in various Armenian Churches. We have had the opportunity to recently view the beautiful illustrations she brought together for this project.
Let me briefly describe what has captured me. Anush has taken many of the actions and motions that we go through during the Liturgy and created images of what they are.
Some examples:
Lighting a candle.
Kneeling.
Receiving the kiss of peace.
Singing.
Taking Holy Communion.
With each illustration, intended for young hearts and minds, it occurred to me that our worship is the foundation for who we are and what we DO, in very practical terms, as Christians. I hear it time and time again that our Liturgy cannot be understood. It is in classical Armenian and connecting to it is too difficult.
But check this out...
Take LIGHTING A CANDLE – It’s a very simple act in our worship and for many it is the very start and end of their time to spiritually connect in Church.
Now, this can easily be translated into a practical application - such as - say organizing and attending candlelight vigils for those who have suffered and realizing that God’s light is in our lives daily. The Church that I know through the model of In His Shoes has stayed aware of honoring victims of domestic violence or innocent children who have lost their lives.
Some other actions that take place during the Badarak that came through Anush’s illustrations…
I receive Holy Communion – We receive the body of Christ and with that we feed the hungry, clothe the poor, comfort the sick.
I kneel – We humble ourselves and work for the needs of local and global communities.
I sing – We use our voice to defend our rights and the rights of others.
I smell the incense - We observe the world around us and remind ourselves of the beauty and the gift of our senses.
I receive the kiss of peace – We create and embrace our community, promote tolerance and understanding of differences.
AND THE LIST GOES ON.
I’m very excited about this book and seeing it fill our pews for not only our children but also for us. Our most simple lessons are our most vital. Understanding and taking the first steps to accept our traditional form of worship starts making a lot more sense when we can use it to achieve very big things. Now, some of us may have to get out of our comfort zones to implement some of these practical applications but I think once we are aware that our actions are quite simply our expression of our love towards God and each other everything seems to naturally fall into place.
So I am inspired by the gifts Anush Avejic is giving us – plus I can’t wait to have her as a guest on Compass. She is an incredible woman who has touched so many lives and she deserves mega hankamank. What an example of living out your faith!
I’m very encouraged by our use of Armodoxy in the form of accessibility, practicality, movement and ACTION and adding that physical element to our faith.
