Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 14, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrates the Feast day commemorating the presentation of the 40 day-old Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.

The festivities began on the evening of February 13 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. On this occasion, His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative Department of the Mother See, accompanied by the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided during an Evening Service at the St. Gayane monastery.

Following the Evening Service, Bishop Mousheg performed the Andastan Service wherein the four corners of the world.

At the conclusion of the service, under the delightful hymn "Christ in Glory", a candle was lit from the Holy Altar of Descent, and the faithful who were present lit candles from the fire and carried them to their homes.

Then, the pontifical procession went to the courtyard of the Monastic residence where a traditional bonfire was lit by His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See, in symbolism of the Light and Wisdom of Christ.

The Seminarians of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary and members of the Brotherhood recited psalms and sang national songs.

With the blessing of the Armenian Pontiff, years ago the Feast day was proclaimed as a day for blessing newlyweds.

On February 14, following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy a service of blessing for the newly married will be offered in all Churches.