Page 110 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Rich Spirituality 111

you a sweet aroma from life unto life"; for the
lips, "This seal of Jesus Christ will be the
guardian of your mouth and firm door of your
lips"; for the hands, "Let this seal be for you the
cause for charity and for every good deed and
conduct of life"; for the heart, "May this divine
seal stamp a holy heart in you and renew a
righteous spirit in your being"; for the back,
"May this seal be a shield of strength by which
you may reject all attacks of evil"; for the feet,
"May this seal of Jesus Christ direct your paths
into everlasting life that you may never be shaken
or may never waver." The sevenfold gifts of the
Holy Spirit are bestowed at the time of con-
firmation. These gifts comprise understand-
ing, wisdom, knowledge, counsel, godliness,
spiritual strength, and holy awe, which are
aimed at nourishing the baptized with the
graces of faith, hope, and love, imparted to
him or her in baptism.
After confirmation, the child is dressed in
white, symbolizing rebirth, and a necklace
with a cross is placed around the child's
neck. The child is then taken to the altar for
the first communion and dedication to God.
The three sacraments of baptism, confirma-
tion, and Holy Communion are adminis-
tered consecutively in one ritual, and the
baptized thus becomes a member of the Ar-
menian Church.
The Armenian Church recognizes the
validity of baptism of all churches that