Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 21, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest. On this occasion under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholiocs of All Armenians; an awards ceremony was held for the priests serving in the Dioceses and Armenian Church institutions. The event was attended by diocesan primates, members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See and 230 priests from the dioceses. The ceremony was held in the Events Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan; Primate of the Diocese of Shirak, welcomed the clergy in commemorating the Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest. On the occasion of this joyful feast, Bishop Mikael congratulated His Holiness and all the clergymen of the Armenian Church and stated that the feast is a call for renewal for all clergymen, so that the deeds of St. Ghevond the Priest accompany them for life.

Following opening remarks, the awards ceremony was held. The right to wear the Pectoral Cross was granted to Rev. Fr. Nshan Alaverdyan (Ararat Patriarchal Diocese); Rev. Fr. Matatia Gasparyan (St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Yerevan); Rev. Fr. Sarkis Sargsyan and Rev. Fr. Tade Takhmazyan (Diocese of Aragatsotn); Rev. Fr. Nerses Arshakyan (Diocese of Vayots Dzor); Rev. Fr. Vahan Heboyan and Rev. Fr. Pargev Zeynalian (Diocese of Syunik); Rev. Fr. Abraham Martirosyan and Rev. Fr. Grigoris Dermenjian (Diocese of Gougark); Rev. Fr. Smbat Abrahamyan and Rev. Fr. Arshavir Asatryan (Diocese of Tavoush); Rev. Fr. Shnorhk Shahinyan and Rev. Fr. Aris Khachatryan (Armed Forces Chaplaincy); Rev. Fr. Vagharsh Isakhanyan (Central European delegation) and Rev. Fr. Karapet Gharibyan (Diocese of Ukraine).

At the end of the Award Ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians offered his appreciation and blessing remarks.

His Holiness expressed joy for the traditional gathering, when clergy from various dioceses travel to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the feast of St. Ghevond the Priest, to renew their priestly and service covenant.

The Armenian Pontiff noted that the feast provided an opportunity to both the Church servants and the faithful to be inspired by the shining example of St. Ghevond the Priest.
His Holiness stressed that this feast calls the clergymen to reflect on their mission and calling. Referring to the apostolic words: “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting febore our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). His Holiness urged the clergy, as a result of spiritual service, to be proud of the virtuous behavior and Christian life of those who are under their care.

“We know that the eighty years of non-belief delivered a great blow to our country and people, but thank God, during the past twenty-five years, great work has been done by our Church and clergy, so that our children once again turn to our Holy Church, towards the sacred faith of their fathers and live their lives according to Christ's precepts and commandments”, noted the Catholicos of All Armenians. He reflected on the achievements recorded in the current spiritual life.

In the face of various trials and hardships of life today, the Armenian Pontiff urged the spiritual pastors to always be with their faithful children; to comfort, demand and correct them, so that they unfailingly walk the path of true doctrine, be the bearers of moral values which makes them worthy of the Lord's blessing and mercy, and gives them an opportunity to stand with a strong faith in front of God.

Welcoming the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Karekin Bekchian from the Armenian Diocese of Germany and His Grace Bishop Sahak Mashalian from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness conveyed his congratulations and best wishes to all priests serving in the Hierarchal sees of the Armenian Church and the Armenian Dioceses of the Diaspora.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the Diocesan Primates wishing them strength and courage in the continuation of their mission.

His Holiness also conveyed his fatherly love and blessings to the clergy, urging them to continue their courageous, zealous and devoted service for the vibrancy of the Armenian Church and for the prosperity of the Homeland.

At the conclusion, once again congratulating the clergy on the occasion of the feast, the Catholicos of All Armenians asked the Almighty to keep the Homeland and Armenian people under His Holy Right Hand.

The ceremony ended with the Pontifical prayer.