Soorp Khatch is an inclusive community, where we view our strength as the dedication and involvement of our community members. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you, and to encourage your continued participation. To help facilitate your engagement, we created the following sections on our website to make sure you are aware of all our upcoming community activities.
Baptisms
The Sacrament of Baptism represents the individual’s spiritual birth. Baptism, Confirmation and Communion are performed together in the Armenian Church. Through Baptism a person enters the Church of Christ and is cleansed of sin. Confirmation is the affirmation of the Holy Spirit. With Holy Communion, the new Christian is nourished with Christ’s Body and Blood and united with Him and the eternal Kingdom of God.
Weddings
In the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, a man and a woman solemnly vow before Christ, the priest, and the congregation to love, respect, and cherish each other for life. Through the wedding sacrament, husband and wife unite themselves spiritually. You can learn more about the traditional Armenian Wedding Service here.
Annointing of the Sick
The Seventh Sacrament of the Armenian Church is referred to as the order of the sick or extreme unction. This ceremony is performed by our priest for a sick person. Der Hayr lays his hands upon the individual and prays that through the sign of the cross, he will receive God’s strength to endure his pains. Our priest also encourages him to trust in God’s infinite mercy.
Funerals
Although not considered a Sacrament, the Funeral Service allows us to honor the memory of our loved ones as they enter a new life through Christ. It reminds us that God brought us into the world and it is with the Lord that we depart from this life. The burial rites of our church provide the faithful with the opportunity to come together during a time of loss to acknowledge our faith and our hope for eternal life with God.
Prayer Requests
Prayer is the bond that we as Christians have with the Almighty God. One of the ways we pray is called intercessory prayer. We pray for a member of our family, someone in our circle of friends, for our co-workers, anyone who is sick or having a hard time. Our obligation as Christians is to always pray for others and ask the Lord to protect them and keep them in his grace and mercy. Soorp Khatch offers incessory prayer every Sunday, where we announce all the names of those who are in need of prayer and ask the whole congregation to pray for them.
Home Blessings
One of the most sacred traditions of the Armenian Church is the Home Blessing. This religious service brings together the entire family in oneness and holiness. During this ceremony bread, water and salt are used as symbols of God’s infinite goodness and care. The priest blesses the home and all its dwellers, asking God to keep them away from enemies both visible and invisible, and protect them under His powerful Right Hand granting them health of body and soul. Through this ceremony their faith is replenished and strengthened in the Lord.
Hall Rentals
Soorp Khatch Church has the beautiful Arabian hall adjoining our Sanctuary. While often used for community events, we invite you to consider hosting your special event with us. The banquet hall comfortably seats 200 individuals in rounds. We also have a commercial kitchen and optional A/V available to help ensure your event is a success.