ALiFe

This is the Armenean Church (full name: Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator) on Hill Street in Singapore. It was the first church to be built in Singapore in 1835 at the cost of 5000 Spanish Dollars.


Last Friday, on September 21, the Orthodox church celebrated the Nativity of the Mother of God, a major feast day. A former schoolmate invited me to join in the celebrations. This was my first experience in Greek-Catholic Divine Liturgy. Lotsa chants and signing of the cross!


Fr Archimandrite (Monsignor) Serge Keleher, parish priest of the Greek-Catholic Congregation of Hieromartyr Nicholas the Wonderworker of Dublin is on his way to Australia for a conference and is now in Singapore for a week. He celebrates his 40th year as priest.


Confessions before Mass. The stole of the priest is placed on the head of the penitent.


What struck me was the richness in the celebration. Would actually love to drop by Russia or Greece to experience Mass there! ;p

To the response, "The Lord be with you," we say, "And also with Thy Spirit." That one single line reminds me of how I ought to treat my neighbour.


Since the great Schism of the Eastern and Western Church during the 11th century, both sides have made several attempts towards reconciliation. It has certainly gotten me to read up more about our history. Keep both the churches in your prayers!

Amin.