Page 117 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

118 The Armenian Church

been dipped in the wine, into the mouth of
the communicant with his fingers. Women
are expected to have their heads covered (1
Cor. 11:2-16). Before the dismissal, the first
chapter of the Gospel of St. John is read by
the celebrant and then the congregation kiss
the Bible, saying, "May the Lord be mindful of
your sacrifices and accept your supplications."
The celebrant responds, "May the Lord grant
to you according to your heart and fulfill all your
wishes."
During the Great Lent, the Holy Mass is
celebrated behind the closed curtain, sym-
bolizing the first mans' expulsion from pa-
radise; the procession, Holy Communion
(except in emergency cases), kiss of peace,
and kissing of the Gospel are omitted. The
deacon reads the Gospel and recites the creed
outside the curtain. At the end of the Holy
Mass, the celebrant takes off his vestments
and puts on a black tunic, descending into
the center of the chancel. There is no last
Gospel reading; the blessing and the dis-
missal are the same.
Holy Mass is celebrated on Sundays and
on weekdays for special feasts. Only one
eucharistic celebration may take place per
day on the same altar; and only one eucha-
ristic celebration on the same day may be
performed by the same priest.