Title : A Village Remembered: The Armenians of Habousi
Author : The Compatriotic Union of Habousi
Translator : Vatche Ghazarian, Ph.D.
Publication date : Mayreni Publishing, 1997
Language : English
Format : 16 x 23.5 cm
Description :
Source :
Date of online publication : 1970-01-01
Number of pages : 32
A Village Remembered: The Armenians of Habousi - The Compatriotic Union of Habousi
Editorial note
Forward
Preface to the Armenian Version
Acknowledgment
The Armenians
Chapter 1: The Region and Its People
Chapter 2: The Foundation of Habousi
Chapter 3: Historical Fragments
Chapter 4: The location and the Springs of Habousi
Chapter 5: Agriculture and Produce
Chapter 6: Trade and Trades
Chapter 7: Household Economy
Chapter 8: Administration
Chapter 9: Family and Holidays
Chapter 10: Engagement and Wedding
Chapter 11: Baptism
Chapter 12: Interesting Remedies
Chapter 13: Proverbs
Chapter 14: Songs, Puzzles, Games and Curses
Chapter 15: Folk Idioms
Chapter 16: The Aghas of the Village
Chapter 17: The School and the Church
Chapter 18: The Missionary Movement and the School
Chapter 19: On the Eve of the 1895 Massacres
Chapter 20: The Massacres and the Victims
Chapter 21: 1915 Genocide and Deportation
Chapter 22: Resilience and Resurrection
Chapter 23: The Patriotic Union of Habousi
Chapter 24: The Holy Cross Church of Lawrence
Chapter 25: Ararat Armenian Congregational Church
Chapter 26: Epilogue of the Armenian Version
Chapter 27: Overview of the Compatriotic Union of Habousi
Chapter 11:
Baptism
Since there were no doctors in Habousi, at childbirth the midwife acted as obstetrician. She was an illiterate woman, but well-versed in her profession. When the time of birth approached, the midwife was called and stayed with the laboring mother until the infant was born.
Habousi’s midwife, Sarig Nana, was a pious woman. She always prayed before she started the delivery. “I’m only the medium,” she would say, “God is the deliverer.”
As soon as the infant was born, the godfather was informed. He was happy. The godfather was the guardian of the newborn for life. His happiness would be greater if the infant were a boy, and he would say, “A light is added.”
At the baptism, the godfather held the infant in his arms during the long ceremony. The priest would first take his confession and give him communion. Then he would ask, “What does this child want?” The Godfather would answer, “Havadk, houys, ser yev mgrdutioun,” meaning “Faith, hope, love and baptism.”
Baptism was performed by immersion in a font built in the wall of the church. Then the priest carefully opened the bottle of Chrism and anointed the infant on the forehead, chest, palms, and armpits.
After the baptism the godfather went with the infant and his father to their house where the mother of the child was found sitting on a cushion on the floor, her face covered with her bridal veil. Next to her a bed was made for the infant. The godfather placed the baby on the bed, and if a boy, he said, “Let him be durable,” and if a girl, “Let God give her grace.”
Then everyone enjoyed the “feast of baptism” and wished happiness for the infant. A present, prepared by the child’s mother, was given to the godfather before he left. After childbirth the mother remained indoors for forty days.
The godfather was highly respected by the whole family. The mother of the child was not allowed to speak to him for the rest of her life, out of respect.
The godfather was highly respected by the whole family. The mother of the child was not allowed to speak to him for the rest of her life, out of respect.