ANNOUNCEMENTS OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AZERBAIJAN – DECEMBER 27, 2020 – THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 27, 2020, THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
Announcements of the Apostolic Prefecture
Celebration of the Nativity of Christ in the period of quarantine
This year we celebrate Christmas in a different way than in previous years. Unfortunately, the circumstances of the pandemic did not allow us to gather as the community and solemnly celebrate the Nativity of Christ. In these conditions, we invite you to remember and take time to reflect on the modesty with which the first Christmas was celebrated when Christ came into the world in a poor Bethlehem cave.
However, churches will be open during the Christmas period. We invite you to communicate personally with the priests about the possibility to visit the church (either in Khatai or in Ganjlik) and receive the sacraments on any day of the Octave of the Nativity of Christ.
We remind you that during the sacrament of confession, as well as during every visit of the church, it is necessary to strictly observe the rules of quarantine (social distance, wearing masks and hands disinfection).
For all questions about the visit of the church, receiving sacraments, Holy Masses and other celebrations, services and needs, you can contact the priests of the parish by phone: Father Emil (0506668507) for the Russian group, the parish priest Father Selva (0514961093) and Father Yusif (0503056460) for the chapel in Ganjlik.
We continue online broadcasts of Holy Masses in Russian on Sundays at 11:00 on our YouTube channel.
Dispense from the duty of personal participation at Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation:
We remind you that at the present time, due to the continuing ban on public services, the ordinary of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan temporarily exempts faithful Catholics from the obligation of personal participation in Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation. This exemption is valid until further notice.
Liturgical calendar for the next week
28 December, Monday, Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
29 December, Tuesday, Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr
31 December, Thursday, Optional Memorial of Saint Sylvester I, pope
1 January, SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
2 January, Saturday, Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
3 January, Sunday, THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD