Introduction

he church is the House of God and a place of worship, prayer and serious meditation. Within the church proper, pleasant and sometimes necessary social manners such as greetings, shaking hands and unduly conversations are destructive both to other worshippers and to those who conduct the solemn ceremonies. Concentration on the ceremonies should be the main concern of each participant following the Liturgy from a Liturgy Book available to the parishioners. Thus, from the beginning to the end of the Liturgy or other special services should be attended in a very reverent and respectful manner. Some of the most important points that we consider essential that a parishioner should observe are specified below to create an atmosphere of harmony, beauty and reverence. Follow these simple rules and manners and see that the others are doing the same. Soon you will find yourself in a better spiritual atmosphere to worship, participate, pray and meditate. It is true that rules arc created for us and not we for the rules, but without common rules and regulations we cannot expect harmony and reverence in our places of worship.

Coming to the Church

cquire a habit to rise earlier instead of rushing to the church under pressure of time. Make it a point to arrive at the church at the specified time or before the beginning of the services.

As a matter of' convenience to yourself and others. Early arrivers should occupy the front pews to safeguard themselves against unnecessary distractions and save some embarrassment to those who come late and eventually search for a place to sit. Church services should be attended from the beginning to the end. But if you have arrived late it is better to be late than not participate at all. It is wrong to assume that coming and leaving the church at will is an accepted custom. We should realize that each service and especially the Divine Liturgy or the Soorp Badarak is one integral service- a drama, which depicts the life of Christ from his incarnation to his glorious Resurrection and Ascension.

Lighting of Candles

ne of the most beautiful devotional traditions in our, as in all Old Churches is the practice of lighting candles. The candle symbolizes the sacrifice of the faithful in order to shine in divine grace. Also, it symbolizes both Jesus Christ and His Faithful who selflessly burn or sacrifice themselves for the welfare and the spiritual growth of their fellow men.

During the process of lighting candles, before the images of the saints, you should take the following precautions not to disturb other worshippers or disrupt the ceremonies.

• Do not light your candle during the Tapor (Procession).
• Do not light your candle during Soorp Asdvadz.
• Do not light your candle during the reading of the Gospel and  Havadamk (Creed).
• Do not light your candle during The Great Entrance or when the chalice is circulated from behind the Altar.
• Do not light your candle during Voghchoin (Kiss of Peace).
• Do not light your candle during the words of Institution  (Arek Guerek, Arpek ees maneh...).
• Do not light your candle during the Sermon.
• Do not light your candle during Der Voghormia.
• Do not light your candle during hair Mer. 
• Do not light your candle during confession and Communion.
• Do not light your candle during the entire Hokehankisd (Requiem).
• Use your common sense and discretion.

Crossing Oneself

ou are entering in the House of God who is invisibly seated up on the Altar. Cross your face reverently, first the forehead, then lower part of your chest, then move your hand toward the left side of your shoulder, then the right side in the same manner and conclude by putting your open palm on your heart. During this process say, "In the name of the Father (forehead) and of the Son (lower part of your chest) and of the Holy Spirit (left and right side of shoulder), Amen (palm on your heart)." The Armenians do not follow a strict pattern its how to join their fingers while crossing themselves. The following patterns are common. Join the thumb, the index and middle fingers or use all fingers in a bent and close manner to each other.

There are several instances during the Liturgy or special services when it becomes proper to make the sign of the cross. The Following general role should eliminate most of the problem you will encounter in this respect.

Cross yourself 

• When the Holy Trinity is mentioned.
• When one Person of the Holy Trinity is mentioned.
• When the celebrant makes the sign of the cross on the faithful.
• When the celebrant or the deacon censers the faithful.
• When the deacon intones. "Asdoodzo yergeerbakestsook."
• Whenever the faithful feel like crossing themselves. 

very church should have a Liturgy Book to follow with available translation. Upon entering the church take one, turn to the specified page and follow the services. This way you will be able to follow the actual Liturgy and understand the meaning of it.

Standing and Sitting

he standing and sitting procedures should be in the Liturgy Book at its appropriate places. Some churches, as you may observe, utilize an electrical device to regulate the standing and sitting procedure or even depicting the pages for the services. The operators of that device are following the Liturgy Book instructions. Please conform with the instructions to create harmony and avoid unnecessary embarrassment to you and to others.

Some Do's and Don'ts

ou are in the House of God. You have lit your candle, you have chosen your seat, crossed yourself, opened your Liturgy Book and are ready to follow the ceremony. Remember, you are not alone in the sanctuary; therefore, say your prayer in a manner not to distract and disrupt others. You may follow and sing along with the choir gently, but only follow silently the portions recited by the deacons and the officiating priest. The choir represents the congregation and therefore the congregation has the right to participate in a harmonious manner. Don't be a spectator. Be a participant. Don't look around to see what others are doing. Be mindful of your own attitude. Don't talk to others. See your own faults and try to improve them. Your posture should reveal reverence, joy and understanding. When you sit, relax, displaying a respectful posture without imposing on yourself measures of uncomforted and uneasiness. And above all, don't chew gum, don't cross your legs or slide forth on the pews to assure a more comfortable position. Think! You are in a place of worship where your spirit is disciplined and your thoughts and actions are purified. You are there to sacrifice yourself--to gain faith in your God, hope in your future and love toward both your Lord and fellow man.

For Choir Members and Servers Entering the Church

hen there is an Episcopal Mass, the choir members and the servers, along with the acolytes, should form a procession in pairs, except the processional cross bearer, and use the main entrance of the church. When each pair enters the Chancel, they should bow down toward the Altar, cross themselves and take his or her place. Otherwise the choir members may come in individually or by group from one of the side doors. When they step into the Chancel first they should turn toward the Altar, kiss the Gospel, cross themselves and take his or her position. If a clergyman or clergymen are seated or standing in the Chancel, after kissing the Gospel and crossing themselves, they should put their right hand on their heart, bow down slightly toward him (without crossing themselves) and take their place in the designated area for the choir.

Joining the Hands

he joining of hands symbolizes the unity of the church, single mindedness of our heart and the upward elevation of our soul in proclaiming our faith. During the Havadamk or Creed, we join hands during our Liturgy. Another occasion is when we sing Park ee Partsoonus (Glory in High).

The Kiss of Peace or Voghchoin

he Kiss of Peace or Voghchoin (greeting, salutations) is one of the most beautiful early Christian traditions preserved in our church. The Kiss of Peace symbolizes our reconciliation to God and to our fellow man through the grace and manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, the congregation is identified by a seal of unity and brotherly love in love of God and one another.

The deacon, after intoning the bidding "Greet one another with a holy kiss" himself approaches the Altar, kisses the Altar and the joined hands of the celebrant and descending from the northern steps of the Altar into the Chancel, gives the greeting to one standing nearest or to a clergyman, if present in the Chancel. If you take the Voghchoin from a clergyman, after having received it himself from the deacon, approach and kiss his right hand, then, when transmitting the same, lean forward, to the other persons left and then right shoulder saying "Krisdos ee mech mer Haidnetsav" (Christ is manifested amongst us). The receiver should reply "Orhnial eh Haidnotiounun Krisdosee" (be blessed the Manifestation of Christ). Thereby, each receiver should transmit the same to the others until the entire congregation is united in the love of God and to each other. This is one of the reasons why a faithful, who has grudges against a brother, should refrain from taking and transmitting Voghchoin.

How to Take Communion

hen communion time comes (if not previously confessed) the communicant or communicants should come forward into the Chancel, kneel down and do their confession. In the Armenian Church a general formula is used, read either by a deacon or priest. When the confession is over, the celebrant gives the absolution, then the communicants rise from their kneeling positions, approach the Bema and one by one receive the communion by saying first, "Meghah Asdoodzoh" then crossing themselves. After taking the communion, if there is space available in the chancel, communicants should stay there standing (otherwise depart) until the priest gives his blessings in a crosswise manner with the chalice. Then the communicants should return to their seats. The communicants should fast beginning from that morning when they rise, if health hazards do not dictate otherwise. During the communion, the entire congregation should stay standing in a solemn manner, as a reverence to the Holy Sacrament.

A communicant should avoid future transgressions, although transgressions do not bar a believer from taking communion again.
At this point, a comment to our hospitalized or ill faithful will be in order. First, they do not have to follow the disciplinary rule of fasting and second, communion in bed never means that the ill person is in critical condition. Communion fortifies the Christian faithful spiritually, establishing faith and hope in him. And what else more do we need when we are ill? Ask your doctor and he will say, faith, hope and proper medication will make the difference.

Taking Communion

e would like to stress the fact that taking communion is not a religious luxury offered on special occasions or feast days only. Only Mass is so arranged and performed that entitles every faithful to receive communion every Sunday or whenever Mass is performed if so desired. Also the faithful has the right to ask and receive communion whenever he wishes, being ill, under distress, before undertaking assignments or travels, etc. These can be done privately by previous arrangements with your pastor.

To take communion means to communicate with the Lord (through His Body and Blood) and with His church. Therefore, anyone who takes communion should be in reconciliation with the Lord and his fellow man.

The church, as a disciplinary measure to fortify your own self, prescribes the following rules, which should be observed by each and every communicant. Do not eat, drink or smoke before taking communion, starting from that morning. Attend the church services devotedly and prepare yourself inwardly to communicate with the Body and Blood of the Lord.

Hokehankisd or Requiem Mass

his service is performed for our deceased. Through our diligent prayers, offerings and intercession of the saints we implore God to judge the souls of our deceased not according to the law but according to His benevolent mercy.

Hokehankisd services should be rendered to the memories of our deceased on the 40th day of their death and at each anniversary afterward. Concerning the Hokehankisd service, prior notification of the church office will facilitate appropriate recordings to avoid errors and misunderstandings. At any event, those who request Hokehankisd should be at the church before the services start to pray for their departed, and attend Hokehankisd services.

At this point also, we would like to mention that Hokehankisd services cannot be held during the following days. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Easter Eve and Easter Day, during the entire Holy Week (week preceding Easter).

Taking Maas

aas should not be con/used in any way with the English word, Mass. Maas in Armenian means, portion or share. It symbolizes your participation and share in the Divine Liturgy. Maas is not communion and should not be considered as a substitute for communion. It is unleavened , blessed bread which you share with your fellow worshippers, thus proclaiming your faith in them and your readiness of forming a desired brotherhood within the compound of the church. The distributor of the Maas should say, "Masn yev pajheen yegheetsee Soorp Badarakees" (may this be your share and portion of' this Holy Mass). The recipients should reply "Pajheen Eem Asdvadz Haveedian" (my portion is God, forever).

Leaving the Church

fter the last blessing and dismissal prayer, the congregation should come forward and kiss the Gospel and depart in peace. Departing should be as solemn as entering the church. Church services are over, but the church does not cease to be a House of God and worship. Reverently, without haste or commotion the faithful should leave the church, take their Maas and greet and see each other in the vestibule or in other areas of the church compound.