From the Pastor

Trnpatsek
Ritual of the Opening of the Doors
Conducted on Palm Sunday

Psalm 118
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, and we bless you from the house of the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, his steadfast loves endures forever!

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

Hymn – Shnorya Mez Der – Grant us Lord
Grant us vigilance, Lord, with that of the Wise Virgins and brighten the lamps of our souls.

The priest kneeling outside the curtain of the altar shall chant lamentingly, for this service symbolizes Judgment Day.

Pats Mez Der – Open to Us Lord
Open to us, open to us, O Lord, the door of Thy mercy, we ask with a lamenting voice,

Priest (inside): Who are these to whom I should open, for this is the Lord’s door and the righteous shall enter through it.

Priest (outside): Not only can the just enter, but the sinners also may enter, having been justified by means of confession and repentance.

Priest (inside): Be it known, that this is the door to heaven, the vale of sorrow, which God promised to Jacob, rest for the just, a place of forgiveness for sinners, the Kingdom of Christ, the residence of the angels, the place of meeting for saints, a place of refuge, and the House of God.

Priest (outside): It is worthy and true what you say about the Holy Church because she is our Immaculate Mother; and from her we are born as sons of light and of truth; she is the hope of life for us; through her we find salvation of our souls; she is the way of righteousness for us and through her we ascend to Christ, our heavenly Father.

Hymn – Imasdoon Goosankn – The Wise Virgins
The Wise Virgins, having prepared their oil-lamps, went forth to meet the heavenly Bridegroom with lighted lamps.

The priest kneeling outside the curtain of the altar shall chant lamentingly:

Pats Mez Der – Open to Us Lord
Open to us, open to us, O Lord, the door of Thy mercy, we ask with a lamenting voice,

Priest (inside): Behold, we see Christ, our Lord, who is seated upon the Holy Altar and calls unto Himself all those who do His will: “Where I am, there also shall my servants be.”

Priest (outside): We are the price of the incorruptible blood of the Son of God, joyfully, let us sing praises unto our Saviour Jesus Christ, and let us all say, “Glory to your awesome coming Lord.”

Hymn – Takavor Parats – King of Glory
King of glory, we shall be ready and waiting vigilantly to go and meet you when you come to judge the earth.

The priest kneeling outside the curtain of the altar shall chant lamentingly:

Pats Mez Der – Open to Us Lord
Open to us, open to us, O Lord, the door of Thy mercy, we ask with a lamenting voice,

Priest (inside): The terrifying trumpet of God calls out with a frightful sound and says: “Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.”

Priest (outside): Behold, I and the children whom God has entrusted me. We all are here and expect to see Christ and hear His blissful voice.

Priest (inside): The voice of God the Creator calls, saying: “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.

Priest (outside): Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks unto the Lord.

The Curtain is opened with the Hymn – Zoghormootyan – Open to Us

Open to us the gate of thy mercy, O Lord, and make us worthy of your dwellings of light together with your saints.


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