The Mas (Consecrated Bread) Preparing Committee is a dedicated group of parish volunteers who faithfully prepare the Mas — the blessed, thin, unleavened bread distributed to the faithful at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy (Badarak). The Armenian word “Mas” means “share” or “portion.” At the end of the Divine Liturgy, parishioners receive a piece of Mas, reverently kiss it, make the sign of the Holy Cross, and partake of it. It is also a longstanding Armenian Christian tradition to take a small portion of the Mas home to family members who wished to attend the Divine Liturgy but were unable to do so because of illness, age, or other circumstances.
Read more
It is important to understand that receiving Mas is not the same as receiving Holy Communion. Holy Communion is the sacred Mystery through which we receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and are united with Him. The Mas, on the other hand, is a blessed bread of fellowship and Christian love. It symbolizes our unity s members of the Body of Christ and expresses our spiritual bond with one another. Traditionally, those who have not received Holy Communion may receive the Mas as a sign of fellowship and participation in the worship of the Church. Once each month, the members of the Mas Preparing Committee gather in the church hall to prayerfully prepare the Mas that will be distributed during the Sunday Divine Liturgies throughout the month. Their faithful and often unseen ministry is an important expression of service, preserving a cherished tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church while helping to enrich the worship life of our parish. Current Committee Members: Silva, Sona, Zvart, Anahit, and Nadin.
