I got this great picture of a child kissing the Cross and Bible at Etchmiadzin. He was adorable!

I attended my first baptism ceremony in Armenia yesterday (Saturday). It was an entire family being baptized, including the parents and their two daughters. The ceremony took place in a building on the grounds of Etchmiadzin. It was great to see the excitement in the ones being baptized and the Godparents having the privilege to baptize.

Overcoming 70 years of brainwashed Soviet atheism is, no doubt, a big deal. You wonder how this transition has been progressing. Everybody claims they are Christians, they attend church, and definitely do take prayer seriously, but unfortunately, many still don't know much about what their religion teaches. (Not to say that this problem doesn't exist in other parts of the world.) Bible Study, the history of the Armenian Church, and Christian ethics are just becoming a part of the curriculum in schools. Teachers have had to be retrained in order to give these classes, and I'm sure that all of this must have been a great effort. Nevertheless, from what I've heard, the transition seems very positive.

The Vartabed (Priest) gave a great sermon at the baptism, and while addressing the ones being baptized, he spoke of the importance in changing their lives with a different and Christian outlook. My aunt was quite impressed when comparing this baptism to ones she had attended over a decade ago in Armenia.

By the way, another few anniversaries are taking place in Armenia this year, including the one celebrating the Consecration of Etchmiadzin (1,700 years). (The official website has not been updated, so it mentions the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity as the state religion...this should now read 1,702nd anniversary.)

On a different note, the new music director designate of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (my previous hometown) is an Armenian. His name is Peter Oundjian. His first concert received great reviews and, according to these reviews, the orchestra really enjoys their new director. Congratulations Peter!