by Dér Stépanos Dingilian, Ph.D.

The intent of this book is to make the Holy Badarak spiritually more nourishing by helping the reader relate it to his or her everyday living circumstances and decisions. It contains the transliteration and the translation of the Sharagans along with the Creed and the Confession in the order which occurs during the Badarak. Since the Badarak is based on the Bible, these Sharagans and Prayers are also tied to verses from the Scriptures. The Bible and the Badarak are connected to our everyday living joys and challenges through Spiritual Virtues. These are virtues which build character and help us rise above the frustrations and stresses of this world through our Christian faith. Finally, all these are related to sayings of the Fathers of the Church. This reminds us that the Holy Badarak is at the spiritual core of the Armenian people because it has helped us live a fulfilling life regardless of the challenging circumstances we faced.

Here are some notes of appreciation relating to "A Spiritual Journey Through The Holy Badarak" – We are thankful to God for the graces He has bestowed upon us, the strength given to us to carry out this work, and blessed us with sincere and appreciative spiritual leaders and Church members who take the time to read, appreciate and send us their notes of encouragement. May the Lord strengthen His light that shines through our Church and community, and unite us all in Christ.

Excellent work! We need to translate it into Armenian as soon as possible!!!

His Holiness Karékin II, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians

You have been able to use a different approach to turn the information about the various aspects of our Church Holy Badarak more inviting to our parishioners, by making quotations from the Holy Bible and mainly the Armenian theologians and historians. We appreciate your work and are pleased to see that it is published and made available for those interested.*

His Eminence Archbishop Kajag Barsamian, Primate,

Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, New York, NY

We need to have literature of this nature for people of various ages; I am glad that you have taken a step forward in the right direction. The design of the book and the printing are very impressive.

Very Rev. Dr. Krikor Maksoudian of The Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center,NY

I was extremely pleased to receive your gift for the Holy Easter. It has presented the Holy Badarak of our Church in an attractive, impressive and interesting way, with its simple and spiritually rich nature, along with its explanations from the Holy Bible and spiritual thoughts. It is truly an engaging, colorful and useful effort that you have taken upon yourself, for which I express my heartfelt congratulations and wishes.*

Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Pastor, St. David Church, Boca Raton, Fa

* These letters are in Armenian. We had to translate these portions into English since this document is also transmitted through the electronic media and placed on our web-site, where the Armenian letters do not reproduce. We hope we have conveyed their intended thoughts.

Indeed it (A Spiritual Journey) is a unique Armenian source for meditation on the Badarak and our spiritual journey to God through Holy Communion.

Very Rev. Dr. Vahan Hovhannesian, Pastor, St. Leon Church, Fairlawn, NJ

So much work! So much effort!

Rev. Fr. Garén AK Gdanian, Pastor Emeritus, St. Peter Church, Watervliet, NY

I want to thank you for putting together a truly artistic, colorful and thought-provoking volume such as this. It's truly a labor of love. Your love for Christ and His Church comes across on every page. . . . This book should be distributed and in the hands of our faithful immediately.

Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Church, Pasadena, Ca

I have enjoyed reading your book, and find it simplistically spiritually uplifting - if that makes sense!

Rev. Fr. Tatéos Abdalian, Pastor, St. George Armenian Church, Hartford, CT

Thank you ever so much for sending me your very pleasing work, "A Spiritual Journey . . ." It will be a useful reference work for many, in various categories of age, prior knowledge and understanding of the liturgy, the Armenian language, etc.

Deacon Dr. Arra S. Avakian, St. Paul Armenian Church, Fresno, CA

I received your book yesterday and I really want to thank you. I am in the midst of reading it and I have to say that I am quite impressed. Your idea of blending various hymns of the liturgy, sayings of various fathers, and a clear explanation for the faithful is something that was truly needed by our clergy and faithful alike. This publication will fill such a void and it should be in the hands of each communicant.

Deacon Garabed Alexander, North Providence, RI

Taking the spiritual journey through the book was most enlightening; a wealth of information, written in such a simple and understanding way, making it easy to comprehend the spiritual movement within the Badarak. Your book is not only relevant today, but will continue to serve as an inspiration to future generations as they are led to our Lord’s light.

Diramayr Anna Movsesian, St. Gregory Armenian Church, Pasadena, Ca

Most informative, educational, thought provoking, . . . our beautiful Christian cultural heritage springs forth from every page.

Mr. & Mrs. Khosroff and Séta Cholakian, St. Mary Armenian Church, Yettem, Ca

We are starting an adult education committee, and I am anxious to use your book as a resource to bring our community closer to Christ through the Divine Liturgy. Again, thank you for your efforts. This type of book can go a long way towards bridging the gap between young people and the church.

Robert Kurkechian, St. John Armenian Church, Southfield, MI

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We have also received in person congratulatory comments from the following clergy:

Archbishop Nérséss Bozabalian, the Holy See of Etchmiadsin

The Very Rev. Fr. Vazkén Mirzikhanian, Director, The Christian Educational Center of Armenia

All the spiritual leaders requested that the book be translated into Armenian as soon as possible

The Very Rev. Fr. Dsayrakooyn Vartabéd Jirayr Tashjian, Pastor, St. John the Baptist Church, Paris

By the grace of God we will begin translating the book into French

Rev. Fr. Kevork Arakelian, Pastor, St. Gregory Church, Fowler, CA

Rev. Fr. Arden Ashjian, Yonkers, NY (who also sent excellent suggestions)

Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley, Pastor, St. George Church, Waukegan, IL

Rev. Fr. Datév Arutyunyan, Assistant to Primate, Western Diocese, Burbank, CA

Rev. Fr. Nersess Jebejian, Pastor, St. Sarkis Church, Dallas, TX

Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian, Pastor, St. Gregory Church, White Plains, NY

Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Pastor, St. John Church, Southfield, MI

Rev. Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Pastor, St. James Church, Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Fr. Nareg Avak Kahana Matarian, Pastor, St. Sarkis Church, Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, Assistant to Primate, Western Diocese, Burbank, CA

Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Pastor, St. John Church, San Francisco, CA

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarafian, Pastor, St. Vartan Church, Oakland, CA

Rev. Fr. Shahé Avak Kahana Semerjian, Las Vegas, NV

Here are some of the comments from our readers:

"Your work ‘A Spiritual Journey Through The Holy Badarak’ is wonderful and we are proud to display it in our Church Library. I have no doubt that many of our Church members will be inspired by this literary work of art. . . . May the power of God’s Holy Spirit continue to enlighten you and grant you wisdom, strength, and grace."

Debbie Derderian, Parish Youth Advisor, St. John Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, San Diego, Ca

"I was so impressed with the spiritual contents of your work that I immediately telephoned St. Vartan’s most capable / excellent Sunday School Superintendent and expressed my enthusiasm.". . .

Clifford Melikian, Sunday School Liaison, St. Vartan Armenian Church, Oakland, Ca

. . . "I read (the book) more than once with great enthusiasm. I thank you very much for producing a work of such caliber which is inspirational and instructional."

Maida Henesian, Sunday School Superintendent, St. Vartan Armenian Church, Oakland, Ca

"The ‘Spiritual Journey Through The Holy Badarak’ was very well thought out and presented. I read it all! Lena was very impressed and always wanted to do something similar herself."

Dr. Deacon Varoujan Altebarmakian, Diocesan Council Advisor, Western Diocese, Fresno, Ca

"The writing is so very profound and spiritually enlightening."

Hagop and Maral Barsoumian, Canoga Park, Ca

"I want to thank you for the book ‘A Spiritual Journey Through The Holy Badarak.’ It is so well done – beginning with a beautiful introduction and ending with the translation of the ‘Nicene Creed.’ God bless you and your family for your dedication in doing God’s work."

Ann Ouzounian, Visalia, California

"I have much difficulty understanding the Holy Badarak. So I am impressed with your book and am very excited about reading it."

Esther Keshishian, Arcadia, California.

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