On the evening of 5 January, the bells of all churches of the Armenian Diocese of Romania rang, signaling the tiding of the Birth of the Lord that was a savior. Under the direction and with the blessing of leader of the Armenian Diocese of Romania, His Grace, Fr. Bishop Tatev Hakobyan, Christmas Holy Masses were served and events were held in almost all the Armenian-populated cities of Romania, reported the press divan of the Armenian Diocese of Romania to Hayern Aysor.

Bucharest – On the evening of 5 January, Diocesan Leader, His Grace, Fr. Bishop Tatev Hakobyan served a Christmas Eve Mass, addressing his message to the attending believers, bringing the good tiding of the Birth of the Lord and particularly mentioning the following: “Let us accept with joy and exaltation the gift of our salvation – the Son of God in the Form of Man. Relying on him as a new person, let us build with justice and fraternal love our future, the new life within the Armenian community of Romania, preserving our faith, language and national values. By following the Lord’s example, we must not be afraid of hardships and obstacles, but must put in all efforts to embody and fulfill all of our wishes and the plans for the future with renewed faith. Let us preserve the purity of the sacred Apostolic faith of our fathers and, by following their example, let us create remnant and everlasting values for the Armenian nation. Let us pray in front of the manger of the Newborn Savior so that human souls are renewed with His abundant graces and are led on the paths towards piety, peace, justice and true fraternity. Let us pray that the Holy Birth of the Savior and the Theophany bring more heavenly gifts and graces in the world, leading mankind to peace and salvation. Let us pray to God that the Lord protect the Armenian Diocese of Romania, the Armenian and Romanian nations, the Romanian state, Armenia and Artsakh and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.”

On 6 January, the Diocesan Leader served a Holy Mass, which was followed by a Water Blessing Ceremony held with the participation of Fr. Priest Grigor Holka; Deacon Haik Azaryan; student of Gevorgyan Spiritual Lyceum, stole-bearer George Damian, as well as scribes Vahe Hovakimyan and Karen Bulutyan. Among other attendees was RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Romania Hamlet Gasparyan. In the evening of that same day, members of the Armenian community of Bucharest participated in a festive banquet and event organized by the Armenian Diocese of Romania, the Union of Armenians of Romania and the Parochial Church Council of Bucharest. Among the attendees were the Primate of the Diocese, RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Romania Hamlet Gasparyan, leader of national minorities in the Parliament of Romania, Vice-President of the Union of Armenians of Romania Varujan Pambukchyan and others.

On 8 January, through the combined efforts of the Armenian Diocese of Romania and the Union of Armenians of Romania, Santa Claus visited the children of the Armenian community of Bucharest with gifts and pastries.

Constanta – The Christmas events in the Armenian community of Constanta began on December 23, 2016. The Constanta branch of the Union of Armenians of Romania organized a Christmas concert featuring performances by Soprano Armine Khachatryan, Mezzo Soprano Sonya Tatosyan, as well as pianists Aram Marius Niza and Daria Stefania Sargsyan.

On the evening of 5 January, a Christmas Eve Mass was served at the St. Mary Church of Constanta. The celebrant was the Parochial Church Council’s pastor, Fr. Priest Oshakan Khachatryan. The Mass was followed by an event and ceremony, after which Santa Claus visited the children of the community with numerous gifts. The events were organized by the Parochial Church Council and the Constanta branch of the Union of Armenians of Romania, with the blessing of the local pastor.

On 6 January, a Holy Mass was served, followed by a Water Blessing Ceremony. Afterwards, the blessed water was distributed to the crowd of believers.

Pitest – On 7 January, the Diocesan Leader served a Holy Mass at St. John the Baptist Church of Pitest. The Holy Mass was followed by a Water Blessing Ceremony.

Sucaeva – On 5 and 6 January, a Christmas Eve and Theophany Masses were served at Armenian churches of Sucaeva and followed by Water Blessing Ceremonies performed by pastor, Fr. Priest Torgom Mandalyan.

Bakeu – On 6 January, Fr. Priest Avetis Manalyan served a Holy Mass and performed a Water Blessing Ceremony in Bakeu. The Bakeu branch of the Union of Armenians of Romania and His Holiness also held an event during which Santa Claus visited the attending children and entertained them with gifts.

Botosan – On 7 January, Fr. Priest Grigor Holka served a Holy Mass and performed a Water Blessing Ceremony at the St. Mary Church in Botosan. The Botosan branch of the Union of Armenians of Romania also organized a festive event and banquet. At the end, Santa Claus visited the children.

Christmas was also celebrated in Galatz, Breila, Tulcha, Jas, Foksan, Roman and other cities of the Diocese. On 7 January, a Requiem Service was performed in all churches, and a prayer was said for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace and for their salvation.

Afterwards, the clergymen of the Diocese started visiting the homes of believers, bringing the tiding of the Birth of the Savior, blessing all the families and the goods of the home, wishing them a year of health, peace and blessings.