Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On Sunday, August 24, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin received more than 100 pilgrims from the Armenian Diocese of Germany. Led by their Diocesan Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian, they arrived to participate in their "Divine Liturgy of Oath", dedicated the 1700th Anniversary of the consecration of the Mother Cathedral of All Armenians. His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the message for the day. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the liturgy. 

Very Rev. Fr. Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See, welcomed the pilgrims on behalf of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin. Father Arshak noted that the vision of St. Gregory the Illuminator would continue to forever guide and lead every Armenian to eternity and salvation, as it always has throughout our history. 

In his sermon to the faithful pilgrims from Germany, Archbishop Bekdjian referred to the sacred mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin, exhorting the Armenian people to remain faithful to the Mother Church founded by two of the Apostles of Christ, and the Holy See established by St. Gregory the Illuminator. 

His Eminence stated, "We have come here once more to renew our oath before God and before the Holy Altar of the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian People, to be spiritually strengthened, and to pray to Almighty God that He keep our faith, as well as our Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and our newly independent Motherland strong, stable and unshaken." 

Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II received the pilgrims in the Pontifical Residence. In speaking with the Armenians from Germany, His Holiness recalled many fond memories of his years as a student and pastor in the Diocese of Germany, nearly 30 years ago. The Catholicos of All Armenians blessed the faithful pilgrims, and encouraged them to return often to their homeland and the Mother See.