normally only the celebrant's part and sometimes the diakonika; (3) Lectionary, with other parts said by the deacon and servers (Djashots);[1] (4) Book of Ordinations, often bound up with the Liturgy; (5) Hymn-book (Dagharan), containing the hymns sung by the choir during the liturgy; (6) Book of Hours (Jamakirkh), containing the Divine office[2] and often the diakonika of the Liturgy; (7) Canticle-book (Sharagan), the hymns sung in the Office; (8) Ritual (Mashdotz), containing baptism, other sacraments and sacramentals.[3] Their Bible contains the Deuterocanonical books and some apocrypha.[4]
The Divine Office has the usual Byzantine hours and consists, as in all Eastern Churches, of psalms, hymns, lessons, prayers and litanies. The only part of it at which the laity usually assist is Vespers on Saturday evening and the eve of Feasts. I believe the office is said complete only by monks.[5] A detail of Latin influence is that Armenians sing the Magnificat at Vespers.[6] The administration of Sacraments follows the normal Eastern lines, with traces of Latinization. At Baptism the child is made to stand in the water of the font facing the East; the priest pours water over its head thrice, saying: "N., servant of God, coming by his own will to the state of catechumen and thence to that of baptism, is now baptized by me in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." He confirms it at once, anointing it with chrism on each organ and on the hands, heart, back and feet, with suitable forms. The child receives Holy Communion at once. If possible, it is baptized immediately after the liturgy. In this case a little of the consecrated wine is kept; the priest dips his finger in that and so puts a drop in the child's mouth. Otherwise
- ↑ Besides the Biblical lessons they have the Aismavurkh (Synaxarion) and Djarrendir (Homilies) used in the office.
- ↑ Very nearly a breviary. The Uniates have a complete breviary called Jamagarkuthiun.
- ↑ Our Rituale. There are many editions of the Armenian service books, both Gregorian and Uniate. Gregorian editions are published at Etshmiadzin, Constantinople, Jerusalem. Dr. James Issaverdens has translated parts of the (Uniate) books under the title: The Armenian Ritual (3 parts), Venice: S. Lazzaro, 1873-1888.
- ↑ Archdeacon Dowling gives a list: op. cit. 104-112.
- ↑ A note about the Armenian Office will be found in Tournebize: op. cit. 636-637.
- ↑ Its usual place in Eastern rites is in the Orthros.
