The idea of consecrating one out of seven days of the week to God is tied to the arrival of the creature man on earth. Because though God, a grand concept in itself, is glorified as the supreme being, it is the praise that will flow from man’s lips in the form of anthems of glorification that will exalt Him, especially on this day.

Recorded in the first book of the Holy Bible, Genesis, immediately after the act of creation, is the concluding phrase telling of the Creator God’s “taking a rest”. That idea of taking a rest, appearing to some to be an absurd concept for an omnipotent God, must, of course, be taken in a very different sense than the human idea of resting. The very next sentence following that account clears the matter concerning man’s “resting”. We read there, “So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation” (Gen. 2:3).

It is because God blessed and sanctified the seventh day that causes us to keep it hallowed. The same edict appears later in the Ten Commandments (“to keep the Sabbath”), in which God cautions His people to keep that day holy.

With the opening of the Christian era, one of the universally most troubling questions became “which day of the week,” the last day, or the day preceding the last. In other words, should Saturday be kept holy, or Sunday? The reason for this confusion arises out of the Old Testament. In it, all the references to resting on the seventh day also identify it as the Sabbath, Saturday. How did that Saturday change to Sunday? During the first century, all Christian who had converted from the Hebraic faith, as immediate successors to the people of the Old Covenant, would naturally continue to practice the old religious traditions. The most significant of them, which stood at the head of “Mosaic Law”, was to keep the Sabbath. In that matter, it should be noticed that strictly orthodox Jews are adamant about it. They observe that Law meticulously, even in the twentieth century, and that can offer evidence of how scrupulous they were about it during the period of the establishment of the Christian Church. Further, the non-Jew converts to Christianity would naturally think about wanting to be free of the Mosaic laws and to shun adopting customs of foreign peoples. That would be a matter on the agenda for discussion at the first apostolic assembly in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-29).

One of the first traditions that arose in the newly formed Christian community was to dedicate the first day of the week (in classical Armenian, “miashabat”) to the Lord, as a day of rest (1 Cor. 16:2). First, because it was on that day that Jesus was resurrected (compare Matt. 28:1, Mk. 16:2, Luke 24:1, and John 20:1). The most important, and climactic, event in Christ’s entire apostolic mission on earth was His resurrection, which was thus being additionally exalted. Moreover, doing so was instilling a feeling of independence in all Christians, in being free of all forms of influence from the Jewish religion, and laying the foundation of a religion with its own faith and tradition.

The word for Sunday, in Armenian, “kiraki”, arises wholly out of Christianity. It comes from the Greek word “kiriaki”, which means “Lord’s Day”. Our early church fathers have transcribed that word, making it an Armenian word, and use it to denote the first day of the week.

It might have been more elucidating, probably, if they had translated the Greek word “Lord’s Day” into Armenian, and we would have had a word that would tell us that that day belonged to God.

For all of mankind, and especially for the Armenians, Sunday has in fact become a “day of rest”. But for some, the word “kiraki” is taken to be a synonym for “sleep”. In assigning the meaning of “rest” to Sunday, we are unknowingly giving it the Jewish concept of “Sabbath”, instead of dedicating it to the Lord. In Hebrew, the word “sabbath” means “rest”. So what have we done? We, as people of the New Covenant, are following the customs of the Old Covenant.

The pattern of life in modern society creates difficulties, and their causes are understandable. Some people work in establishments in which all seven days of the week are work days. Others have their own businesses which demand losing the respite that Sunday offers. We have no denunciation for all that. However, it is obvious also that it is very commonplace for people to take advantage of Sunday’s not being a work day, and use it for just resting or recreation.

Rest and recreation are very important parts of people’s lives. Man has a right to rest, or to enjoy recreation after a day’s work, or a week’s work. But why must God’s part be neglected? In Christ’s words, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). With the first two, rest and recreation, we have no complaint, because both of them are good and enjoyable physically, and they provide for well-being as well. While the other, dedication to the Lord, has spiritual depth, is emotional in nature, and requires concentration. But what about enjoyment of it? One who has a disposition for it will enjoy it hundredfold, because it is spiritual and lasting. On the other hand, the other two occupy time and space, involve the senses, but are temporal and simply come to an end.

Sunday morning, on the Lord’s Day, is for going to church. The church is open early, and the Night Service (Nocturne) and the Morning Service (Matins) are conducted, followed by Divine Liturgy. Do you wish to spend the non-workday Sunday in recreation with your friends, or enjoy a happy time with your family? Very good. Do so. There are no reasons not to. But what objection is there first to attend church, and then go onto what or where you plan?

You need to remove the “rest” concept out of “Sunday”, and replace it with the “Lord’s Day” understanding. Then you can, with Christian understanding, declare your contentedness for all those good things that are yours, health, family, children, and many more that have been heaven-sent to you.

According to an informal survey, it has been found that for families that go to church together, there is relatively less argument and trouble, because God’s love dispels all hate and bitterness. It has been said, “The family that prays together stays together.”

Respect the Lord’s Day to the fullest extent of your ability, with collective prayer in church, for that is the source of love and brotherly spirit among people.

Keep Sunday hallowed, giving to God God’s share.