His Holiness Karekin II Blesses 100 Newlywed Couples
17.02.2003
Eve of the Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin On February 13, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the city of Artashat and presided during a ceremony of blessing for newlywed couples.
During the service, dedicated to the Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple - Tiarn'ndaraj, or Candlemas, His Holiness blessed more than one hundred newlywed couples living in the city of Artashat and its vicinity, and prayed for "the Lord's daily care and protection for all newly created families." President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Robert Kocharian, attended the ceremony. His Grace Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar General of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, and Very Rev. Fr. Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, accompanied His Holiness.
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Returning to the Mother See on the evening of February 13, the Pontiff of All Armenians was solemnly led by ecclesiastical procession to the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin to preside during the Evening Service, announcing the commencement of the Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple. Following the Evening Service, His Holiness conducted the Andastan Service wherein the four corners of the world were blessed. The Andastan Service was followed by the ceremony of blessing the candles and lighting of the traditional fire, symbolizing the Light and Wisdom of Christ.
