Armenian clergy worldwide embark on a quest to collect holy oil

Every seven years since AD 301, priests from around the world have trekked to the ancient Cathedral of Etchmiadzin in Armenia to retrieve jarfuls of freshly brewed muron -- muron -- a sweet-scented holy oil stirred with what is said to be the tip of the lance driven through Jesus' side -- and carry them back to their respective dioceses.

Prepared in a massive silver caldron, the mixture of herbs, flower extracts, spices, wine and pure olive oil was derived from an original batch mixed at the Armenian Church's founding 1,707 years ago. It is replenished every seven years by pouring old into new, continuing a mysterious connection between distant generations.

The priests usually travel home with their portions cradled in their arms because muron, according to tradition, can be handled only by ordained clergy.

That all changed late last month when the ancient tradition met with a 21st century obstacle that has been put in place since the last trip for the holy oil: As a liquid, muron cannot be taken aboard commercial airliners, according to airport security rules.

"We were very worried -- in the old days, we carried the muron in our hands," recalled His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, which is based in Burbank. "I would never have given away that privilege, but we had no option."

Derderian bundled up his six containers in layers of cloth, and then packed them snugly into three suitcases. Airport baggage handlers took it from there.

"I was confident that nothing would happen to it," he said. "You do your best, and then trust in God."

Derderian's containers arrived safely after a 20-hour flight.

A genial man with a black beard, Derderian declared mission accomplished on Tuesday when priests from churches across Southern California gathered around a massive oak table in his Burbank office.

Their 7-ounce portions of the amber-hued oil were presented on a silver tray: 15 small glass jars with white screw-cap lids, each one marked with a label written in English and Armenian: "Holy Muron. September 28, 2008. Holy Etchmiadzin."

After prayers and solemn hymns, the clergy in black robes got up and formed a line. Fist-sized silver crosses -- some studded with precious stones -- dangled from silver chains around their necks. They approached the table, in turn, with heads bowed and kissed the jars of muron that Derderian placed in their hands.