February - March 2002 Edition

Churches Get Together   By Jake Goshert Geographically, they came from a variety of cities and towns around the tri-state area. Spiritually, they came from a shared faith connected at distant roots. The annual Con-Celebration of the Divine Liturgy was recently held at St. Leon Armenian Church on Saddle River Road, bringing together the area's Oriental Orthodox Christian leaders. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America was chosen to host the event in honor of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity.   Oriental Orthodox churches are five ancient Christian traditions -- Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Indian Malankara, and Syrian -- that are in communion with each other but retain their own independence.   "In a general sense I want you all to feel that this sanctuary is your home," Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, told the members of the assorted denominations who crowded the church. "And I want you to know that you will always find a home among the Armenian people, just as we feel at home with you, our brothers and sisters."   "I believe this is one of the most important things we do in this country, as Oriental Orthodox Christians," Archbishop Karim of the Syrian Church said. "Especially in this country, being minorities, there is a strong need to come together more often and voice our concerns as one voice, united with each other. We need each other. We are all threatened with extermination, with being melted out."   The church leaders shared the main role in a celebration of the Armenian Divine Liturgy; the first full-Armenian service many had attended. And for the Armenians in the audience, seeing the bishops and archbishops share the altar illustrated how closely related the churches are.   "I was really impressed with the ethnic and cultural spread of our orthodoxy. With the hats and skullcaps and turbans, it looked like a scene from the magi, a Christmas card at the altar," said St. Leon parishioner Leo Manuelian. "The fact all of these different cultures and ethnic backgrounds were interchanged during that service was amazing. All these years we grew up in the Armenian Church, and it was Armenian this and Armenian that; all of a sudden we have people from all around the globe, our brothers and sisters in Christ, here beside us."   Archbishop Barsamian said the collaboration between the closely related denominations is a solid example of Christian theology calling faithful to action in creating love and understanding. It is that unity that will help guide the Armenian Church and its Oriental Orthodox siblings into a successful future, he said. "Naturally, the breaking-down of barriers among churches will not happen overnight," he said. "But it can happen -- indeed, it must happen -- if we are to remain true to the spiritual unity we already share under the diving leadership of Jesus Christ."   Along with the spiritual mission of uniting denominations, the event also allowed parishioners at St. Leon to meet their neighbors. Mingling during a lunch at the church's community hall, with hymns and Christmas songs in a variety of languages being sung in the background, the different congregations mingled with their new friends.   "Just seeing everybody come together is encouraging. We aren't separate churches," said Syrian Orthodox church member Fay Douglass "It's all one church of neighbors, with people united in the same beliefs."