Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Celebrated at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
14.02.2025
On February 14, the Feast of the Presentation of the 40-day-old Infant Jesus Christ in the Temple, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the celebration of the Holy and Immortal Liturgy at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Rev. Fr. Hieromonk Voskan Voskanyan, a member of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin clergy, was the celebrant.
In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Voskan reflected on the significance of the feast, emphasizing:
"Infant Jesus came as the Prince of Peace to sow heavenly serenity in the storm-tossed hearts of humanity. He came as the world Savior to redeem the God-created human being and, through His devoted mission, to bridge heaven and earth.”
After his message, Fr. Voskan exhorted the faithful to walk unwaveringly toward the life-giving and eternal Light of the Lord and to pray for all married couples as they begin their lives, relying on the Lord's light, peace, and salvation.
At the end of the Holy Liturgy, a special blessing service for newlyweds was held under the presidency of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The Day's cross-bearer was Karen Nazaryan, Executive Director of the Armenian Round Table Foundation of the World Council of Churches.
On this occasion, His Holiness extended his patriarchal blessings and best wishes to the newlyweds, noting that on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we all, like St. Simeon the Elder, glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and strengthen our resolve to meet Him, to always be with Him, and to live according to God's will.
The Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized that, by tradition, on the eve of the feast, newlyweds gather in their family homes, light bonfires, and celebrate the Presentation of the Lord with joy and festivity. Reflecting this spirit, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord has been declared a Day of Blessing for Newlyweds so that, after the Holy Liturgy, newly married couples may receive blessings in the churches, and the Lord's abundant grace may be bestowed upon their families.
Addressing the newlyweds, His Holiness said:
"In this blessed moment, We extend Our warm congratulations to all newlywed couples and wish them happiness and many years of loving family life. May the Lord grant you numerous worthy children and keep you all under His grace and the protection of His All-Caring Holy Right Hand. Our fatherly exhortation is that you always keep the light of faith burning in your hearts and homes, live with the piety of St. Simeon the Elder, and carry in your hearts a constant love for God, your homeland, and one another."
On the same day, the Catholicos of All Armenians received the newlywed couples who participated in the Holy Liturgy, along with newlywed deacons serving in various parts of the Mother See, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Harutyun Kirakosyan, the Acting Grand Sacristan.
Once again extending his patriarchal blessings and congratulations to the newly married young couples, His Holiness expressed satisfaction that lay newlyweds were also welcomed for the first time.
His Holiness urged the couples to live with love and in the spirit of the Gospel, to stand by each other, and not to be discouraged in the face of difficulties. The Catholicos wished that the light and warmth of the Lord be ever-present in their newly established families and that they live healthy and happy lives.
Finally, His Holiness blessed the newlyweds with the 'Protector' prayer and handed them gifts.
