Diocese of Egypt Celebrates "Liturgy of Oath" in Holy Etchmiadzin
18.09.2003
On Sunday, September 14, the Armenian Church commemorated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. His Eminence Archbishop Zaven Chinchinian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Egypt, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Faithful Egyptian-Armenian pilgrims, both from Egypt and around the world participated in their Divine Liturgy of Oath in the Mother See, dedicated to the 1,700th Anniversary of the Consecration of the first Cathedral of the Armenian People.
Over 500 pilgrims were in Holy Etchmiadzin for the celebration of this feast day, one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. Many of the pilgrims are graduates of Armenian schools in Egypt who are in Armenia to participate in their bi-annual reunion. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the Divine Liturgy, and Abp. Zaven delivered his message of the day to the overflowing crowd of gathered faithful.
Referring to the sacred mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, His Eminence noted: "Holy Etchmiadzin is the perceptive heart of the Armenian Nation and People, as it has lived with the people for 17 centuries, always sharing the nation's sorrows, grief and joy. Holy Etchmiadzin is ours; the Only Begotten Son of God Himself designated this site as our house for prayer, as the site of the See of the Armenian Pontiff. The strength of faith and inspiration of spirit spreading out from her Holy Altar of Descent is limitless - it is the firm foundation-stone of our belief. Holy Etchmiadzin always disperses, but never conquers. Her life experience is deep and profound. The more she gives, the richer she becomes, the more light she spreads, the more she shines."
Among those in attendance for the Divine Liturgy were scientists, historians and academicians who were in Holy Etchmiadzin as participants of the International Symposium dedicated to the 1,700th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral. Also present for the Liturgy were benefactors of the Armenian Church from the United States and Canada, and Mr. Jean Levain, the Mayor of Chaville, France.
His Holiness Karekin II received the faithful in the Great Hall of the Pontifical Residence at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, and gave them his message of love and affection. In the end, each of the more than 500 pilgrims individually approached the Pontiff of All Armenians to kiss his anointed right hand and receive his blessing.
