You will not find the word "Giratsooyts" in an Armenian dictionary. I took to using this term to signify "Sunday Calendar". I have received criticism from people who make a living studying the roots of words (I think I have upset their plan). But others have taken a liking to it.
Giratsooyts first appeared in 1994 and was updated for 1995 and 1996. Since then, I let my personal schedule get in the way and failed to update a version for 1997 - and now for most of 1998. But now, I do feel the need to get back to work on this. And with the Central Council's support, my intention is to publish the remainder of 1998's schedule here on this web site and to keep it updated for each year.This manual is a compilation of my own informal notes that I currently use, as the choir director of my church. This information has been gathered from several sources among which are: the "DONATSOOYTS", the "ORATSOOYTS", and other related publications (such as Arra Avakian's Choir Director's manual). I thought it was time to document my own notes on the computer and get a clean printout, and at the same time also share this information with others that may have the same need and interest.
This present manual is mainly intended for the English speaking Armenian community of America. Even though this information is available in the above mentioned publications, the Armenian language sometimes becomes an obstacle when trying to interpret the church calendar. the "DONATSOOYTS" and "ORATSOOYTS" are published in Armenian and in addition, many cryptic abbreviations are used throughout. But even more, manuals such as Arra Avakian's (which is in English) are sometimes too technical and rely too much on the reader to grasp concepts that are fairly complex.
Both of the above cases leave room for the interpreter to make assumptions that may be in error - due to a language barrier, or due to not grasping concepts fully. Sometimes the proper resources are not available for the interpreter to call upon, or even worse the interpreter may not know that his/her assumptions are incorrect. These are the main reasons for this publication. The accumulative information presented in this manual is detailed, but hopefully this has been made more palatable by disseminating the information through a cycle of weekly Sunday schedules.
I thank Rev. Vertanes Kalayjian, Pastor of St Mary Armenian Church of Washington DC, for his advice and support in the compilation of this manual. It is our hope that this will prove to be a useful tool in determining the worship/musical basics for Sunday services. I emphasize "basics", because this manual only addresses portions of the Jashoo Service and the Eucharist of the Divine Liturgy; it by no means addresses all issues - but it is a start. This manual may prove to be too elementary for some. But for others, it may prove to be a user-friendly starting point for a closer observation of the variable of our church calendar. Our agenda for this publication was to keep it brief, and to also tie it in with the revised publication of the "Sacred Music of the Armenian Church Volumes I & II". The page numbers throughout this manual reference this publication.
This is the maiden voyage for this manual. Your response will determine if there is a need to continue and produce this manual on a yearly basis. I would appreciate your comments: as to the usefullness of this manual, suggestions for improving this manual, and any errors found in this manual. Please send your comments to me:
Dr Socrates Boyajian, Choir Director
c/o
St Mary Armenian Church
4125 Fessenden St NW
Washington, DC 20016
The text right above this section is from the preface of the first publication of Giratsooyts in 1994. Things have changed a bit since then. I am now the Assistant Choir Director of my church. The choir is under the direction of the capable hands of Dr Hratch Semerjian. I am currently working on completing a publication of the Morning Service, which is keeping me pretty busy. I will also try to make this web site interesting enough - and easy to maintain - that it can be used as a resource by our churches. If this web site is here a year from now and is up to date - it will mean that it is serving a purpose.
Dr Socrates Boyajian 9/21/98