The Hayr Soorp’s Café met on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Fr. Vahan’s house. A group of 25 Armenians, including faculty members and students from Columbia and Hofstra universities, met at 5:00PM for an evening of fellowship and to discuss the designated theme: “The Bible in Our Badarak.” The evening started with the blessing of the table followed by an hour or fellowship, during which participants enjoyed a variety of delicious Armenian and Middle Eastern appetizers and beverages.

At 6:00PM the group gathered in Fr. Vahan’s living room, some sitting on the stairs to the second floor, to explore and discuss the theme of the day. Fr. Vahan elaborated on the various aspects that the Armenian Badarak incorporates the Bible and the biblical message in its celebration. Fr. Vahan mentioned the fact that the establishment of the Badarak by our Lord is narrated in the Bible. Among the various other examples, he discussed the chanting of verses from the Book of Psalms throughout the liturgy, the incorporation of the biblical text, including sayings of our Lord, in the prayers of the Badarak, and the integration of biblical practices in the celebration of the Badarak. This was followed by a period of question and answer.

At the conclusion of the discussion period, the group walked to the sanctuary of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs for the evening prayer hour. Following which the participants gathered around one big table in Kalustyan Hall for the dinner. This began with the beautiful and ancient Armenian practice of the blessing of the table, which incorporates recitation by the participants in the dinner of verses from Psalm and the breaking of a loaf of bread among the participants.

 Following dinner, the group returned to Fr. Vahan’s house for coffee and dessert and to continue the discussion. The Group is planning a one-day retreat in early June.