Points of Light - Blessing of a Factory
Rev. Fr. Arten Ashjian
Retired Priest
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church
Instructor at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
Retired Priest
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church
Instructor at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
Mrs. Vartanesian, a survivor of the Genocide, was the chairperson of the Ladies Auxiliary at St. Leon’s Armenian Church in Paterson, New Jersey, where I served briefly as pastor in the early 1950’s. Mrs. Vartanesian, whose husband was also very active in the church, worked in a local textile factory as a supervisor. The Vartanesians did not have any children.
It was winter. One night after a meeting in the church hall, Mrs. Vartanesian approached me privately. "Der Hayr," she said, "Business is very slow where I work. The situation is getting worse, week after week. I suggested to the boss, who has confidence in me, that you as my priest pay a visit to the plant to perform an Armenian home blessing ritual far the benefit of the business. Would you come?" I did not know her boss. All I knew about him was that he was a non-Armenian and a non-Christian. "What did your boss think of your suggestion?" I asked Mrs. Vartanesian. "He will certainly welcome you in performing the blessing," was her answer. On the appointed day, I took my "ritual tools" and some salt with me as I went to climb to the second floor of the old factory where Mrs. Vartanesian met me in her work clothes. She was anxious to introduce me to her boss. The man was thin and pale, wearing an expression which betrayed worry. He welcomed me without enthusiasm, saying something like, "We tried everything to improve the state of this business. Now we are at the point where we are willing to try anything, particularly since Mrs. Vartanesian has such faith in God." There was hardly any other witness to the Armenian "home blessing" ritual I was about to begin. The machines were already turned off. The boss kept himself out of my way while I, putting an a stole, began chanting. I remember sprinkling a little salt and water upon same workbenches nearby after touching the salt and water with my hand cross... The following week Mrs. Vartanesian reported to me that the business at the factory had started to pick up. |
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CHRONICLES OF THE CALL A Calling To The Truth An Unexpected Call From God Flip A Coin From Sales To Souls God's Constant Call To Become A Priest Going With The Current Of God's Call Serve Your Church The Inspiration Of My Teachers RESOURCES FOR VOCATIONS AND CHURCH MINISTRY An Interview with the Director of Youth & Vocations Are You Listening? His Invitation is Still: 'Follow Me' The Armenian Sacrament of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood The Armenian Service of Calling to the Holy Priesthood The Call To Choose or to be Chosen POINTS OF LIGHT All that the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me (John 6:37) Go In Peace, Darling A Match to Light Our Worship A Prayer in the Car A True Christmas Story An Open Door to the Kingdom Baptism in a Shack Blessing of a Factory Confirmed in the Spirit He Gave His Life for Us It Is Worth All The Trouble Prayerful Care of Souls The Blind Man Warming Up Without Heat FAQs Prerequisites for Seminary Study Do I Have What It Takes? Seminary Studies: Courses, Teachers, Grades, Requirements Seminary Life Marriage and Celibacy |
