Bishop Bagrat Galsdanian Celebrates "Divine Liturgy of Oath" in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin
25.06.2003
On June 24, His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galsdanian, the newly elected Primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church, celebrated his first episcopal "Divine Liturgy of Oath" in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Grace was ordained and consecrated as Bishop last Sunday by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Armenian Church tradition directs that all newly consecrated bishops celebrate a "Liturgy of Oath" before the Holy Altar of Descent of the Only-Begotten Son of God, in the Cathedral of the Mother See.
His Grace addressed words of gratitude in his sermon to His Holiness Karekin II, and the previous two Armenian Pontiffs of blessed memory, during whose reigns he started and now continues in his spiritual service. Bishop Bagrat noted that he prays to always be led by the message of the Lord: ". . . and where I am, there shall my servant be also". (John 12.26).
The newly ordained and consecrated bishop thanked all those who have assisted him from the very beginning of his service. He welcomed and expressed particular gratitude to the Canadian Diocesan Council members who accompanied him to Armenia and Holy Etchmiadzin. He thanked the Diocese of Canada for having the confidence in him by electing him to the responsible post of their Diocesan Primate.
