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Hospital Hosts Christmas Ritual

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  • Hospital Hosts Christmas Ritual

    HOSPITAL HOSTS CHRISTMAS RITUAL
    By Zain Shauk

    Burbank Leader
    http://www.burbankleader.com/articles/2009/ 01/07/religion/blr-christmas07.txt
    Jan 7 2009
    CA

    Armenian Christmas started early for Glendale Memorial Hospital
    patients, who received a visit and a celebratory snack from employees
    Monday morning.

    Round loaves of gata, a sweet bread that many Armenians eat on
    Christmas, were a part of the room-to-room surprises offered by
    Chaplain Larry Johnson and other participants Monday who hoped to
    brighten up the holiday experience for patients.

    "As you walk in, people's faces light up," Johnson said of the
    difference the holiday visits made for patients. "It's an obvious
    connection that people are happy about."

    Armenians traditionally celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6, which they
    believe is the day Jesus was born, although traditional prayers begin
    for many followers on the night before Christmas, said the Rev. Khajag
    Shahbazyan, of Burbank's Western Diocese of the Armenian Church,
    who participated in some visits Monday.

    The holiday festivities typically involve offering prayers, thanks
    and visiting family and friends, Shahbazyan said.

    Many patients of all backgrounds often feel distant from normal
    community activities during hospital stays, Johnson said, so Glendale
    Memorial employees organize activities to help boost spirits.

    "When they find ways to become included in other things, and are folded
    back in, it's really helpful," he said, explaining that the day of
    celebration was just one of the activities that Glendale Memorial
    has for its patients.

    "One of my tasks is tapping into whatever religion or faith the
    patient may have and celebrating their tradition," Johnson said.

    About 40% of the hospital's patients are Armenian and enjoy the
    room-to-room celebrations, which the hospital has arranged for the last
    eight years, said Ramella Markarian, the hospital's physician relations
    coordinator and the woman in charge of this year's holiday visits.

    "It's very important for them to remember and celebrate these
    holidays," Markarian said.

    Patients said the visits made them feel more comfortable and happy
    on a day they associated with family activities and prayer.

    Artur Lisechko, a Burbank resident who was being treated for pneumonia,
    was overjoyed to see a pair of Armenian religious figures join two
    hospital employees for a visit at his bedside.

    "I was excited because the Armenians don't forget me," Lisechko said
    of the visit.
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