The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

Armenians.

The Armenians thus Consecrate and Administer the Sacrament.

1. They set the Consecrated Bread on the Altar.

2. The Arch-Bishop reads the Mass for the Ce∣remony.

3. At reading the Gospel they light abundance of Wax-tapers.

4. After the Gospel, several of the Noviciates take Sticks in their hands, about 5 Foot long, at the end whereof are Latten Plates, with little Bells hanging about them, which when they are shaked, sound like Cymbals.

5. Other Noviciates hold a Copper Plate in their hands, hung about with Bells, which they strike one against another, and at the same time the Ecclesiasticks and Laity sing together indiffer∣ent harmoniously.

6. All this while the Arch-bishop hath two Bishops on each side of him, who are in the room of a Dean and a Sub-dean.

7. By and by he goes and unlocks a Window in the Wall on the Gospel side, and takes out the Chalice where the Wine is.

8. Then with all his Musick, he takes a turn a∣bout the Altar, on which he at length sets down the Chalice, saying certain Prayers.

9. With the Chalice in his hand, and the Bread upon the Chalice, he turns towards the People, who presently Prostrate themselves upon the ground, beat their Breasts, and kiss the Earth, while the Arch-bishop pronounces, This is the Lord who gave his Body and Blood for you.

10. Then he turns towards the Altar, and eats the Bread dipt in the Wine: For they never drink the Wine.

11. He turns towards the People with the Bread and Chalice in his hand, and they that will receive, come one after another to the bottom of the Choir, to whom he gives the Bread dipt, as be∣fore. The bread is without Leaven, flat and round, about as thick as a Crown, and as big as the Host of the Mass, being Consecrated the day before by the Priest; whose Office it is, M. Tavernier, l. 4. c. 9.

They never put Water in their Wine. When they come to the Communion, the Arch-bishop or Priest says these words, I confess and believe that this is the Body and Blood of the Son of God, who takes away the sins of the World, who is not only ours, but the Salvation of all mankind. He repeats these words three times, the people saying after him word for word, ibid.

They give the Communion to Children of two or three Months old, which the Mothers bring in their Arms, tho many times the Children put it out of their Mouths again, ibid.

They never administer in Lent, for then they never say Mass, but on Sunday noon, which they call Low Mass; at which time they never see the Priest, who hath a Curtain drawn before the Altar, and only reads the Gospel and Creed aloud.

The Armenians Baptize infants on Sunday, ex∣cept in danger of Life; the Midwife carrying the Infant to Church, where the Bishop or Priest plunges it naked in the water, and returns it to the Godfather, going on with his Prayers, and twists a double string, one of white Cotton, ano∣ther of red silk, (signifying the Blood and Water, which flowed from the Body of Christ) about the Child's neck; then he anoints the Child, and crosseth it in the several places where the Oyl dropped, saying, I Baptize thee in the Name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Forehead, Chin, Stomach, Arm-holes, Hands and Feet are anointed. The Patriarch makes this Oyl every year on the Eve of our Lady in September, after a small Lent of eight days, of several fra∣grant

Flowers and Aromatical Drugs; but the principal is called Balassau-Jague, or flower of pa∣radise. When 'tis made, two bottles are sent to all the Convents of Asia, Europe and Africa. When the Ceremony of baptism is over, the Godfather returns home with the Infant in his arms, and a Taper of white wax in each hand, attended with trumpets, drums, haut-boys, which go before to the parents house, where the Godfather delivers the child to the mother, she prostrating her self before the Godfather, and kissing his feet, he her head; the minister names the child according to the Name of the Saint of that day in their Alma∣nack: Afterwards they Feast. The poorer sort carry the Child to Church on the Week-days, with∣out any Ceremony, with Tears in their Eyes, pre∣tending it to be sickly, and like to die, and so make no Feasts at all. If Women lye in 15 or 20 days before Christmas, they often defer till the Festival; then in all the Cities and Villages where the Armenians live; if there be any river or pond, they spread 2 or 3 Flat-bottom'd Boats with car∣pets to walk upon; and in one of them set up an Altar, and in the Morning by Sun-rising all the Armenian Clergy of that Town or City and Parts adjoyning, get into the Boats in their Habits, with the Cross and Banner, dip the Cross in the Water 3 times, and every time drop the Holy Oyl upon it; then plunge the Infant, and anoint him 3 times, saying, I Baptize, &c. The King of Per∣sia is many times present at the Ceremony, when perform'd at Ispahan, riding on Horse-back to the side of the River, with all his Nobility, M. Ta∣vernier l. 4. c. 11.