Consecration of St. Mary Church in Arinj
01.06.2002
On Saturday May 30, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided during the consecration service of the newly built Church of St. Mary (Asdvadzadzin) in Arinj, in the Diocese of Kotayk.
With an entourage of bishops and members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness was received with the ?Hrashapar? Service. Assisting the Catholicos during the consecration were His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the United States; His Grace Bishop Daron Jerejian, Primate of the Diocese of Marseille; His Grace Bishop Arakel Karamian, Primate of the Diocese of Kotayk (Armenia); and His Grace Bishop Sion Adamian, Primate of the Diocese of Armavir (Armenia).
As the service commenced, His Holiness washed and cleaned the newly built altar. The Catholicos next consecrated the Holy Altar of the Church, blessing the north and south sides as well as the front with Holy Chrism (Muron). He then proceeded to consecrate the painting of the Holy Mother of God and the Infant Jesus, which hangs over the Altar. Following the conclusion of the service, His Holiness conveyed his Pontifical blessings and delivered a sermon to the hundreds of faithful gathered from the village of Arinj, and congratulated them on their new spiritual home. In his message, His Holiness spoke of the historic significance of this day, and the special meaning this church has for this village. Prior to the Soviet years, there used to be a historic church named St. Mary, which stood not very far from this new sanctuary. Following her destruction, the villagers had always maintained the memory of their church, and were hopeful to see the day another ?St. Mary? would be built.
In his message, His Holiness specifically recognized benefactor Mr. Gagik Dzarugian, who generously financed the construction of the church. The same afternoon, he was bestowed with the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal in honor of his services rendered to the Armenian Church, and in particular, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
