Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Announces a Pan-Armenian Fundraisng for the Mother Cathedral
27.02.2020
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announces about the Pan-Armenian fundraising in assistance to the restoration and preservation of the Mother Cathedral.
The urgent restoration works of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin have begun since 2012 to keep the Holy Cathedral of All Armenians from the danger of collapse. In recent centuries, this is the largest restoration for the preservation and strengthening of the Mother Cathedral which needs the support of All Armenians. The last partial renovation of the Mother Cathedral was implemented in 1950-60s.
On this occasion, at the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin, in all the Diaspora Churches of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; was published. “Throughout centuries our people have restored Holy Etchmiadzin kept it in splendid state, following the call of St. Gregory: “Let us build the Holy Altar of Light,” as a stone testimony to its spiritual sentiments and sacred feelings, as an edifice of its great desire and love for the Exalted God. Throughout the time, thanks to the efforts of the Armenian Pontiffs, the Mother Cathedral has been continuously adorned with frescos and icons, by building alters, bell-towers and vestries, through showing persisting care toward the sacred site, so that the Christ-founded sacred cradle may perpetually shine and radiate light, “for out of this place, light was borne to us in Armenia”.
The invitation of the St. Gregory Illuminator echoes in our life today as well, encouraging us to keep the spiritual holy center of all Armenians prosperous and radiant. Now, we appeal to you, beloved, with St. Gregory the Illuminator’s call of, “let us build the Holy Altar of Light”. United, let us renovate the Holy Altar of our national-ecclesial life: the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. By the heartfelt expressions of your spirit, which you show toward the Mother See, bring your resources and investment to the work of restoration of our Holy of Holies, because Holy Etchmiadzin, which has always fed and strengthened in spirit all its faithful children, today has need of you, so that it may continue its eternal mission in the life of our people. Through Holy Etchmiadzin we shall always keep strong our covenant with God and shall remain united, in love toward our homeland, nation and holy Church and with our sacred values”, stated in part in the Pontifical Encyclical.
In the interest of organizing the assistance offered for the renovation of the Holy Cathedral, with the Blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Honorary Board of Trustees and Executive Body have been formed consisting of national benefactors and Diocesan representatives. A working committee has also been formed by the Supreme Spiritual Council, led by the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in America, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. Chairman Hovnan has already visited to different Dioceses and communities in the Diaspora, local committees have been formed.
“The “Holy of Holies” of All Armenians, the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, is the birthplace of our Christian faith. Keeping it strong is the moral duty of all of us. In this way, we express our love and devotion towards the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which has deep national and ecclesiastical significance and centuries-old mission for All Armenians. The restoration of the Mother Cathedral is our duty and honor”, _ Chairman of the Committee His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan noted on this occasion.
Following the St. Gregory the Illuminator’s call of, “let us build the Holy Altar of Light”, we invite all our people in the Diaspora to participate in this nationwide fundraising program.
You can do your hearfelt donation through the following website open for this purpose: www.cathedral.am.
Blessed are those who have memory in Holy Etchmiadzin.
