His Holiness Karekin II Conducts Ground Blessing Ceremony for New Cathedral in the Diocese of Gougark
On May 25, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by the members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and guests, traveled to the Diocese of Gougark for the ground blessing of the new Cathedral in Vanadzor. Among the honored guests of His Holiness were several benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Ruth Bedevian (benefactors for the construction of the new Mother Cathedral in Vanadzor); Dn. and Mrs. Charles and Grace Pinajian, Mr. Noubar Jessourian, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Juliette Apelian, Archpriest Rev. Fr. Karnig and Yeretzgin Arpinй Hallajian, all of the United States; and Mr. and Mrs. George and Diana Kurkchian, of London, England. Upon their arrival, His Holiness and the guests were greeted by His Grace Bishop Sepouh Chuljian, the Diocesan Primate.
The Catholicos of All Armenians presided over the ground blessing ceremony, signaling the official start of the project, and Bishop Sepouh delivered his words of appreciation. His Grace extended special gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Bedevian for gifting a sorely needed and desired Cathedral to the people of Vanadzor. Additionally, with their gracious financial and moral support, Mr. & Mrs. Bedevian will also be the benefactors of a new youth center, a new medical center and a new soup kitchen for Vanadzor.
His Holiness, addressing His Pontifical message to the gathered faithful stated, ?In May of 1918 our ancestors from Karakilissa endeavored to defend their native land. Now God has led us here together with our benefactors, to combine the blood shed for this land with our prayers and blessings, so that a new church could be built on this sanctified land. In those days, as well as during the entirety of our existence, the Armenian Church has defended and protected our faithful and our native land, and we shall continue with this responsibility in the life of our people and nation.?
The same afternoon, during a visit to the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Vanadzor, His Holiness granted a pectoral cross to Archpriest Rev. Fr. Karnig Hallajian, as a symbol of his great appreciation for Fr. Karnig?s many years of devout service and unfailing support to the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
