His Holiness Karekin II Presides During Tiarn'ndaraj Celebrations in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple. Tiarn'ndaraj, as it is known in Armenian, symbolizes 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. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during an Evening Service which proclaimed the start of the Lord's Feast. Following the Evening Service, His Holiness performed the Andastan Service wherein the four corners of the world were blessed.
At the conclusion of the service, His Holiness lit a candle from the Holy Altar of Descent, and distributed the flame to the gathered faithful. Taking the lighted candles home with them, the faithful continue the sweet tradition of carrying the symbolic Light and Wisdom of Christ to their families and neighbors.
The following morning, on February 14, a solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin commemorating the Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple. The celebrant was the Very Rev. Fr. Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
This year once again saw the continuing of a new tradition initiated by His Holiness, which coincides with the celebration of Tiarn'ndaraj. Following the celebration of Divine Liturgy, a special blessing for newlywed couples was offered.
Each newlywed couple was presented with gifts, including a specially prepared, white bound New Testament, as well as a special pearl necklace for the new bride. Mr. Pierre Hajjar, an Armenian benefactor from Hong Kong, had generously donated the gifts on this special occasion.
