Katrina Rosales
Incense, or khoung in Armenian, has been used in religious contexts for millennia. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, incense is burned during the Badarak, a sacred liturgy. The smoke is believed to symbolize the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. The vessel in which incense is burned is known as a censer or poorvahr in Armenian. The censer is usually shaped like a church, adorned with small bells, and features four chains representing the Holy Trinity. The Armenian Church engages all of a believer's senses, including smell, to help them feel God's presence. Outside of a religious context, incense is also used in Armenia during funeral processions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Armenian word for incense | Khoung or Khoong |
| Incense vessel | Censer or Poorvahr |
| Incense in the Armenian Church | Used to symbolize prayer and effect atonement |
| Incense in the ancient world | Used to keep demons away |
| Incense in the modern world | Used in funerals and after-funeral processions |
| Incense burners | Papier d'Armenie |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Armenian is called 'khoung' or 'khoong'
Incense is widely used in Armenia, especially in religious contexts. In Armenian, incense is called "khoung" or "khoong". This word refers to an aromatic compound of gums and spices, with the base ingredient being the sap of certain trees. Skilled perfumers blend this sap with sweet spices and fragrant oils from certain flowers, creating a pleasant scent.
The use of incense in Armenia has a long history, dating back to ancient times. It was considered an expensive commodity and was even offered as a gift to baby Jesus by the Wise Men, along with gold and myrrh.
In modern times, incense continues to play a significant role in Armenian culture and spirituality. It is commonly used in Armenian churches, where it is believed to symbolize prayer and create a connection to God. The act of burning incense is often associated with special occasions, such as Father's Day, and it holds a deep significance for many Armenians.
The scent of Armenian incense, with its unique blend of spices and floral notes, has become synonymous with the country's culture and spiritual traditions. For many Armenians, the scent of incense represents a connection to their heritage and a way to honor their loved ones who have passed away.
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Incense is widely used in the Armenian Church
Incense, or "khoung" in Armenian, is widely used in the Armenian Church. It is an aromatic compound of gums and spices, with the base ingredient being the sap of certain trees. Skilled perfumers blend the sap with sweet spices and fragrant oils from certain flowers, drying and processing it for use. Incense has been considered a valuable commodity since ancient times, and its use in religious contexts dates back to the ancient world, where it was used to keep demons away.
In the Armenian Church, incense is used to engage the believer's sense of smell, helping them to feel God's presence and adore Him. The pleasant aroma created by burning incense is believed to be God's sweet presence, which the faithful can breathe in. The vessel in which incense is burned is called a "censer" or "poorvahr" in Armenian. The poorvahr is usually shaped like a church and has symbolic significance. The lower part, where the incense is burned, symbolizes the world, while the upper, dome-shaped part represents heaven. The four chains that unite the two parts symbolize the Holy Trinity and one Godhead, and the twelve bells hanging on the chains represent the twelve disciples. Thus, when incense is burned in the poorvahr, it symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven with the intercession of the disciples.
The use of incense in the Armenian Church also has a Biblical base. In the Book of Numbers, when the people of Israel are afflicted by a plague, God instructs Moses to "take your censer, and pour fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense on it. And carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them" (Num. 16:46). Similarly, in the Book of Psalms, the psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). This idea is further developed in the Book of Revelation, where an angel stands at the altar with a censer, mingling incense with the prayers of the saints, and the smoke of the incense rises to God (Rev. 8:3-4).
In the Armenian Church, any incense used is blessed before use through a special "Incense Blessing" prayer found in the book of rituals. The blessing is believed to effect atonement and symbolize prayer. During the liturgy, the priest puts the offertories on the chalice, covers it, and censes it while asking for favors from God.
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Incense is burned inside a censer or 'poorvahr' in Armenian
In Armenian, incense is called "khoung" or "khoong". It is an aromatic compound of gums and spices, with the base ingredient being the sap of certain trees. Incense was widely used in the ancient world, especially in religious rites to keep demons away.
Incense burners are called censers or poorvahr in Armenian. The vessel has two basic parts: the lower part, where the incense is burned, and the upper, dome-shaped part. The lower part symbolizes the world, while the upper part symbolizes heaven. Four chains, symbolizing the Holy Trinity and one Godhead, unite the two parts. There are 12 bells hanging on these chains, with 3 on each chain, representing the 12 disciples. Thus, when incense is burned inside a censer or poorvahr, it symbolizes the unity of heaven and earth, with the prayers of the inhabitants of the lower world ascending to heaven with the intercession of the disciples.
The use of incense in the Armenian liturgy is steeped in symbolism and theological truth. The smoke from burning incense represents the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. In the Book of Psalms, it is written, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, an angel is described as standing "at the altar with a golden censer. And he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of the saints upon the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angels before God" (Revelation 8:3-4).
In the Armenian Church, incense is blessed before use with a special "Incense Blessing" prayer. This practice is rooted in the Biblical concept of atonement and symbolizes prayer. For example, in the Book of Numbers, when the people of Israel are afflicted by a plague, the Lord instructs Aaron through Moses to "Take your censer, and pour fire therein from off the altar, and lay incense on it. And carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them" (Numbers 16:46). This ritual is echoed in the Armenian liturgy, where the priest censes the offertories and chalice at the beginning of the service, asking for favors from God for his congregation.
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Incense is used in Armenian funerals and after-funeral processions
Incense, or "khoung" in Armenian, is an aromatic compound of gums and spices with a base ingredient of the sap of certain trees. It is widely used in the Armenian liturgy, where everything has a meaning and symbolizes a theological truth. Incense is also used in Armenian funerals and after-funeral processions, which are steeped in tradition and symbolism.
Armenian funerals are a time for family, friends, and the community to come together to mourn the loss of a loved one, celebrate their life, and offer support to those grieving. The funeral proceedings usually go on for multiple days, beginning with a wake service, or "Dan Gark," held at the deceased's home or a designated hall. During the wake, candles are lit around the casket, symbolizing eternal light and the enduring presence of the deceased, and incense is burned, filling the room with fragrant smoke that signifies prayers rising to heaven.
The use of incense in Armenian funerals dates back to ancient times, when it was believed to have the power to keep demons away. In the context of funerals, incense is used as a sign of honor to the body of the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God. The smoke from the incense represents the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, as described in the Book of Psalms: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141).
The vessel in which incense is burned, known as a censer or "poorvahr" in Armenian, is also symbolic. It consists of two parts: the lower part, where the incense is burned, symbolizing the world; and the upper part, which is dome-shaped, symbolizing heaven. Three chains suspend the censer, representing the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." The unity of these two parts through the chains symbolizes the union of heaven and earth, with the prayers of the earth rising to be received in heaven.
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Incense was used in antiquity and was considered an expensive commodity
Incense, or "khoung" in Armenian, is an aromatic compound of gums, spices, and fragrant oils derived from certain trees. Skilled perfumers blend these ingredients with sweet spices and dried flowers to create incense.
Incense has been used for centuries in various cultures and religions for spiritual and medicinal purposes. In the ancient world, it was commonly used in religious rites to keep demons away and to offer prayers to the gods. Herodotus, a Greek historian, recorded that it was particularly popular among the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. The oldest textual source on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda.
Incense was also considered a valuable commodity in antiquity. In the Bible, it is mentioned as one of the costly gifts brought by the Wise Men to baby Jesus: "They offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh" (Matt. 2:11). Incense was also used in the Judaic-Christian liturgical tradition, with scholars suggesting that its use dates back to the 900s B.C. in the Temple worship in Jerusalem.
In the Armenian Church, incense is blessed before use, and it holds symbolic meaning. The vessel in which incense is burned, called a "censer" or "poorvahr" in Armenian, is believed to symbolize the unity of heaven and earth. The lower part of the censer represents the world, while the upper, dome-shaped part symbolizes heaven. The four chains connecting them symbolize the Holy Trinity and the twelve bells hanging on them represent the twelve disciples. Thus, burning incense in the censer represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven through the intercession of the disciples.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is called "khoung" or "khoong" in Armenian.
Incense is an aromatic compound of gums, spices, and fragrant oils from certain flowers. The base ingredient is the sap of specific trees.
Burning incense in the Armenian Church is meant to symbolize prayer and create a spiritual experience by engaging the believer's sense of smell. It is also used to bless the church and its congregation.
A Poorvahr, or censer, is a vessel used to burn incense. It is usually shaped like a church and adorned with small bells. The Poorvahr symbolizes the unity of heaven and earth, with the burning incense representing the prayers of the faithful rising to God.
Armenian Paper is an incense substitute that was inspired by the traditional use of incense in Armenian homes. It was developed in the 19th century by a French person who took inspiration from a trip to Armenia.
