Your departure from church should be as reverent and as orderly as your entrance. In the Armenian Church (as in Roman or other Eastern Churches) it is almost impossible for the clergyman to come out of church, as do the Protestant Ministers. It takes a long time for our clergy to take off the church vestments. Therefore, instead, people go to the Clergyman to greet him and receive his personal greeting and blessing.

When the service is over, the officiating Clergy holds the Gospel as they pass and receive the personal blessings of the priest, and leave the church.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy the "Mas" or holy bread us distributed among the congregation. "Mas" is an Armenian word and has nothing to do with the English word (Holy Mass). Our "Mas" means share or portion. When you take your "Mas" you kiss it and eat it. It is good custom to take some home to those members of the family who were desirous to come to church, but were unable to do so.

Taking "Mas" does not mean Communion. It is the survival of a fellowship meal called "Agape" in Greek which early Christians used to have as a part of the Holy Eucharist. It is only a sign of Christian charity and spiritual kinship.

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