Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On August 18, the Armenian Church celebrated one of her major feasts - the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided. The official delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, headed by the Most Reverend Dr. Jukka Paarma, Archbishop of Turku and Finland, as well as representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, attended the services. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness and Archbishop Paarma addressed speeches to the faithful in attendance.
The Catholicos of All Armenians once more welcomed the Archbishop of Finland. "By your presence here today, we feel that the Holy Virgin is our supporter in our mutual efforts in strengthening the friendship and brotherhood between our nations... The Armenian Church welcomes the dialogue of Christian Churches and the close cooperation for the sake of love of the Church of Christ, for the sake of His Love towards His flock, for the sake of peace all over the world and the solidarity of people," said His Holiness Karekin II in his speech.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the procession of faithful, led by the deacons, priests and bishops of the Armenian Church, as well as the ecumenical entourage of Lutheran and Roman Catholic clergymen, moved to the St. Tiridates Open Altar of the Mother See. His Holiness Karekin II conducted the Service for the Blessing of the Grapes, where he asked for God?s blessings to descend on the harvest for the year, to protect and keep the farms and vineyards, and to strengthen and defend the laborers who work with the soil for the benefit of others.
