Feast of the First Armenian Illuminators Celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
04.12.2021
On December 04, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew, the first Armenian Illuminators. Yet in 2015, according to the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast was proclaimed as Pilgrimage Day of the Holy Lance ‘Geghard’. On that day, for the Blessings of the faithful, the Holy Lance ‘Geghard’, kept in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is brought out.
On the occasion of the Feast, with the Blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Divine Liturgy was offered in the St. John the Baptist and St. Vardan Chapel-baptistery. The Celebrant was Very Rev. Fr. Senior Archimandrite Zakharia Baghumyan, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by Bishops of the Mother See, Members of the Brotherhood of Mother See, spiritual servants and pilgrims from different Armenian Dioceses.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See and Chairman of the Monastic Council of the Mother See; led by the ecclesiastical solemn procession, brought the Holy Lance ‘Geghard’ to St. John the Baptist and St. Vardan Chapel-baptistery. Blessing the attendees, His Grace Bishop Moushegh granted the faithful opportunity to kiss and worship the miraculous Holy Lance ‘Geghard’.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Moushegh, reflecting on the sacrament of the Feast, stated in part: “The Armenian Church and its faithful rejoice today, as we celebrate the Feast of the founding Apostles of the Armenian Church, who sowed the seeds of the doctrine of the love of Christ in Paradise Armenia; Christianity became “skin color”, and throughout the centuries, the Armenian people reaffirmed the words of Paul the Apostle; “ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35). For us, this day is the day of renewing, re-Christianization, and confession of the Orthodox religion. Of course, times and values have changed, but the true faith passed down from the Lord, faithfulness to the values of God and our ancestors, remained firm. Thus, today, we have come to ask the Lord for the intercession of the Holy Apostles; to reaffirm our love and faithfulness towards the Armenian Church; to become conscious and stronger; making a vow - to keep the orthodoxy pure; to be faithful to the rich heritage and moral values left by our fathers and teachers; that we will never leave the land that has become prosperous due to the precious blood of our Apostles and ancestors”.
Presenting the story of the martyrdom of the Apostles, Archimandrite Zakharia confirmed, that it is an unconditional love towards the Lord and the Armenian Nation; and the places of their footprints have become sacred places for the Armenians; to be established in the faith and live in constant hope.
In his sermon, with the sacrament of the Day, Archimandrite Zakharia reflected on the concept of the Homeland, stating in part: “Our Homeland, given to us by God, is sacred gift for us, as, it is on this ground, that the Apostles of Christ and our brave ancestors shed their blood. It is no longer a land, but a Fatherland to which we all have our responsibilities and duties. The homeland needs care and love, but most of all, a big desire and will, to live and create on that land”.
In the conclusion, Rev. Fr. Senior Archimandrite Zakharia urged the faithful to ask for the intercession of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew for the Armenian Nation, in order that Apostolic Faith may strengthen and protect us all; and the Holy Lance ‘Geghard’ brought out today, may continue to make miracles and preserve the Armenian world.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the His Grace Bishop Moushegh blessed the faithful with the “Protector” prayer and the Holy Lance ‘Geghard’.
The Holy Lance ‘Geghard’ will be kept in the Chapel-baptistery of the Mother See until the end of the Evening Service.
