Page 107 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

108 The Armenian Church

Sacraments
The Armenian Church has seven sac-
raments (xorhurd): baptism, confirmation
(chrismation), repentance, Holy Eucharist,
holy orders, marriage (holy matrimony),
and the anointing of the sick. In order to be
valid, a sacrament should fulfill three basic
conditions: a) matter: physical actions and
material to be used during the performance
of a sacrament; b) form: prayers, hymns and
biblical readings; c) minister: to whom the
church gives the authority and the task
through ordination and consecration to per-
form a sacrament.

Baptism
Baptism (mkrtut‘iwn) is the first sacrament
received by a Christian. It is ministered by a
priest or bishop. In an emergency, baptism
can be performed by a deacon or, if neces-
sary, by any Christian. The infant must have
a godfather, who should be a mature male
member of the Armenian Church; the god-
father assumes responsibility for the Chris-
tian education and formation of the baptized.
The ceremony starts with the participants
standing in the middle of the church and
facing the door, which symbolizes the re-
nouncing of the devil. Confession is said, the
last chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew
(28:16-20) is read, and the condensed form