Saturday, July 21, 2012

A hymn of Christ and Mary Magdalene in the garden

The YouTube page says this is taken from the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church - "the Badarak" - and is a hymn about the encounter in the garden.


There is all this (and more!) at the video page:
"Oh Gardener..."
"Ov Bardeezban..."

Taken from the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church
"Badarak" or Mass
***********************************************
Lyrics with Translations:

Haryav Kreestos (Christ is risen)
Zartyav Kreestos) (Christ is awakened)

Ov Bardeezban (Oh Gardener)

Too asa, oor daran zeesoos? (Tell me where did they take Jesus?

Vor Gardzem te, too yes numan (Whom I believe you resemble...)

vo, numan? (Who Resembles?)
too numan. (You resemble)

Me Lar too, ov guin (Don't weep, O woman)
Yes em gentaneen! (I am the Living One!)

* Yeg Yev des zdegheen (Come and see the place)
* Zor khotsyatz azken eesrayeleen. (That the race of Israel Pierced)
*(Repeat )

Haryav Kristos (Christ is risen)
Zartyav Kristos (Christ is awakened)

*****************************************

This is an ancient hymn taken from the middle-ages. The Lyricist & Composer is unknown.

The hymn is the encounter Mary Magdalene has at the empty tomb of Jesus on Easter Ressurection Sunday, where she does not recognize the Glorified Lord and addresses him as the "gardener":

John 20:10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

****************************************************
Credits

From the CD:
The Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church
(Markar Yekmalian)

Komitas Chamber Choir of Armenia

Hovhannes Mirzoyan, music director and principal conductor
Khoren Mekanejian, guest conductor

**********************************************
St. Mary Magdalene

Feast date: July 22nd

First person documented in the Gospels to see the Resurrected Lord. Is called the "apostle to the apostles" in the Greek orthodox Church because she brought the good news of the Resurrection to the apostles.

Patron Saint of:
apothecaries;
Atrani, Italy;
Casamicciola Terme, Ischia;
contemplative life;
converts;
glove makers;
hairdressers;
penitent sinners;
people ridiculed for their piety;
perfumeries;
pharmacists;
reformed prostitutes;
sexual temptation;
tanners;
women
 Here's a short introduction to the Badarak, from the website of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America:
The Divine Liturgy is the main worship service of the Armenian Church.  But the Badarak, as we call it in Armenian, is much more than that.  It provides the most intimate encounter we can have with God in this life.  In the Divine Liturgy, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, comes to his people—to you and me—in two forms: First, by his Word, in the reading of the holy Gospel; and second, by his holy Body and Blood, in Holy Communion.  These two actions—the reading of the Word of God, and the reception of Holy Communion—are the two pillars or building blocks of the Divine Liturgy in all ancient, apostolic churches.

Supported by these two pillars is a magnificent structure of words, music, symbols, and rituals.  For those unfamiliar with it, the Divine Liturgy can seem like a bewildering array of disjointed movements and rituals, and arcane theological terminology.  The complex interplay of the celebrant priest, the deacons, the other altar servers, the choir, and the people might lead one to overlook the logic and purpose of the Divine Liturgy, and to miss its very real benefits.

Back in the 10th century, the great Armenian theologian Khosrov Antsevatsi eloquently described the importance of the Divine Liturgy when he wrote: "Since those who confess and show repentance receive atonement by means of the Holy Mystery [the Badarak], and are reunited to Christ in order to become for Him Body and members, we should be eager for the great medicine."  The Divine Liturgy is the great medicine that provides true meaning and direction for our lives.  It offers the peace and solace that only God can give—a free gift no less—in an age when so many people are searching, and spending millions of dollars in vain to find personal stability and security.
 More at the link.

No comments: