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Kuwait: Archbishop Babian Condemns Killing Of Innocents In Gaza

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  • Kuwait: Archbishop Babian Condemns Killing Of Innocents In Gaza

    ARCHBISHOP CONDEMNS KILLING OF INNOCENTS IN GAZA
    By Ben Garcia

    Kuwait Times
    http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?new sid=MjA5NDA5ODYz
    Jan 8 2009
    Kuwait

    KUWAIT: The Armenian community residing in Kuwait celebrated Christmas,
    Epiphany, and Jesus Christ's Baptism (revelation of Christ's divinity)
    on January 6, at their church compound located in Salmiya. Addressing
    the congregation, Archbishop Dr. Goriun Babian, Armenian Prelacy of
    Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf countries, condemned Israeli attacks in
    Gaza and expressed grief at the death of innocent women and children
    during the on-going military operation against Hamas by Israeli forces.

    The place where Jesus Christ was born, unfortunately, experiences
    no peace during these days. We want this unjustified killing to stop
    and we pray for peace in the Middle East and the entire world. We are
    in distress, the entire Christendom as well as other communities are
    very troubled at what has been going on in that part of the world,"
    he mentioned.

    A number of Armenians in Kuwait and some visitors from other Christian
    denominations attended the High Mass. The celebrations on Tuesday were
    the highest forms of worship at held at the Armenian Church considering
    that three occasions were celebrated simultaneously. Armenian
    Christians thronged the church early morning to receive Holy Communion,
    listen to sermons and receive a cup of water blessed by the Archbishop
    which is believed to heal many diseases.

    In an interview to Kuwait Times explaining the January 6 rituals,
    Archbishop Goriun explained, "The water from the small pond
    is blessed. We consecrate a holy oil in the pond and place the
    silver cross symbolizing Christ in it. After the mass, we allow our
    congregation to drink the water. Some people drink a little and take
    the rest home which we believe can heal sickness. It is sacred because
    the divinity of Jesus Christ appears in this very water," he explained.

    Unlike other Christians, according to Babian, the Armenian Church
    has managed to preserve the original date where church festivities
    are celebrated. "During the early years of Christianity, the Pope
    was troubled about the famous pagan traditions of December 25. In
    order to veer Christians away from pagan traditions, the Pope decided
    to move Christmas celebrations to December 25, a day where pagans
    celebrate festivities of their sun god. Since then, other Christian
    denominations began celebrating Christmas on December 25, instead of
    the original January 6 celebrations," he explained.

    He elaborated, "We don't turn Christmas into an occasion for merely
    eating and drinking because we don't want to lose its original
    meaning and spiritual value. For Armenians, Santa Claus comes during
    New Year. Children receive Christmas gifts on New Year instead of
    December 25," he further explained.

    In the same sermon, Archbishop Babian thanked His Highness the Amir
    and the Kuwait government for agreeing to host about 5,000 Armenians
    in Kuwait, for the freedom to practice religion. He prayed that peace
    will prevail in Kuwait. He also wished the entire Armenian community
    in the Middle East good health, prosperity and more blessings. "On
    this occasion, I pray to God to grant you peace and tranquility,
    preserve the message of Jesus Christ in your soul and spread it
    throughout the community," he added.

    The center of Armenian Church in the Middle East is located in
    Kuwait. Apart from Kuwait, Archbishop Babian also looks after the
    spiritual well-being of other Armenian communities that are based in
    Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Iran.
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