Preliminary Prayer to Anahit, Armenian Goddess of Birth
Preliminary Prayer
O my beloved Goddess, Anahit, bless our children as they enter this world, so they will be strong, healthy and good.
Hear us, Anahit, guide the pregnant woman of our village so that they do not suffer accident nor misfortune.
Anahit, O Anahit, it is a time of rejoicing for a child is to be born in this village and we call upon you protect us from evil. Anahit, we see you. Anahit we feel you. Anahit. Anahit. Anahit.
Hear me, my Protector and Divine Guide that this birth will be without accident. We are of the Priesthood that cares for children of the village. Blessed be to Thee, O Anahit.
Behold, my beloved Goddess Anahit. The four arch Priestesses of Vanatur stand guard that this Thy Temple shalt not be disturbed upon the birth of the child of the village.
Behold, the Priestesses of Vanatur have been given the weapons of Vahagan to stay wild beasts and heathen. Our children shall not be stolen nor sacrificed. For the Priestess of Vanatur is mighty in protection and vengeance.
Grace be unto Anahit, for the woman who sits upon this altar hath a child who shall be as Ar, strong and almighty, and his wit shall be as Tir, and the strength of his soul shall be as Vahagan and Astghik shall show this child the powers of love and he shall be like Vanatur, who conquered the universe by the force of the polite word.
We are the Priesthood of Anahit who uphold the safety of the birth of the child, and blessed be to Anahit, unto the ages.
The consecration of the sacred reed
Begin the flutes here as the child emerges from the womb of Anahit
Behold the primal birth for travail manifests in heaven and earth,
See the trembling of Anahit's purple sea!
Awaken, arise from the sea the red reed, the ancient wand.
Through the hollow of the reed cometh forth the incense of Godhood
arising,
Through the hollow of the reed cometh forth the flame of His Godhood,
Behold, the warrior child hath run the course of awakening God-force, his
eternal youth glowing majestic.
Hail, the prophets whisper that in this child's soul,
will a great warrior arise and slay the dragons that hinder the
maiden's stroll, a hero king,
thy hair, my wonderous child will flame with Vahagan's will,
thy flaming beard shall shall sparkle the souls of kingdom maidens,
and your eyes, my precious child shalt be the raging suns of Ar.
