NEW YORK, NY—“In Faith I Confess” (Havadov Khosdovanim), the much beloved poetic prayer written by St. Nerses Shnorhali, will be the focus of the 2006 Lenten Prelacy series, co-sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Prelacy Ladies Guild.

The Christian tradition prescribes four essential ingredients for the Lenten season: the study of the Word of God, communal and private prayer, acts of mercy and charity, and fasting. The meditations will take place each Wednesday during Great Lent. The first of the six meditations is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1. All of the Lenten presentations will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. As in previous years the program will begin at 7:30 pm with a Husgoom service in the sanctuary, followed by a meditation at 8 pm, and concluding with fellowship and a light Lenten meal in Pashalian Hall. The first meditation will focus on verses 1 through 5 of the prayer, under the tutelage of V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy.

The schedule for subsequent weeks is as follows: On March 8, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Department of Religious Education at the Prelacy, will present verses 6 through 9. On March 15, V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, Chairman of the Religious Council and Pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, NJ, will present verses 10 through 14. On March 22, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, NY, will present verses 15 through 18. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Armenian Prelacy, will present verses 19 through 21 on March 29, and the final verses, 22 through 24, will be presented by V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian on April 5.

The author of this popular prayer, Catholicos St. Nerses Shnorhali (the Gracious), was born in 1102. He was Catholicos from 1166 until his death in 1173. “In Faith I Confess” has been translated into 36 languages and is perhaps the most popular of the prolific writings of this noted theologian, poet and musician. It has been incorporated into the Armenian Evening Rest Service (Husgoom), which is performed during the Lenten period. Comprised of 24 short verses, this small prayer book is reverently carried by many of the faithful to strengthen faith and hope.

This year’s Lenten series will help to edify the meaning of the words that Armenians have been reciting for centuries.

For information, arec@armenianprelacy.org or 212-689-7810.

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