New Sunday in Holy Etchmiadzin
27.04.2003
On New Sunday, April 27, the Armenian Church commemorated "Second Easter". In the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the "Divine Liturgies of Oath" continued for the year 2003, which is celebrating the 1,700th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. This year, every Armenian Church Diocese from throughout the world has been invited to select a Sunday and make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of our faith, the place where Christ Himself descended and blessed the Armenian soil and nation.
Under the luminous arches of the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian People, and the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, over 700 pilgrims from the Diocese of Aragatsotn participated in the festive celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The celebrant was the Locum Tenens (Acting Primate) of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Bagrat Vardapet Galsdanian. Serving at the Holy Altar were deacons and acolytes from his diocese, as was the choir which sang the hymns during the Liturgy. The faithful sons and daughters from the Aragatsotn Region were accompanied by the Regional Governor, Mr. Hrair Karapetian; as well as mayors from the many cities in the diocese, regional and municipal authorities, and over 250 children.
In his sermon to the faithful, Fr. Bagrat Galsdanian stated in part, "Your Holiness, we have come with the mystery of the Oshakan-dwelling great saint, Mesrop Mashtots, the symbolism of the lantern of Mount Aragats, and the sacredness of the places where our Illuminator St. Gregory walked, to see our reflection in this sanctuary. We have come to seal our hearts, minds and souls with the Cross before the Holy Altar of Descent, to show and apply our readiness in the spiritual ascent of this great House of the Armenians, and for the enhancement of our homeland, our nation, and our bright future."
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Pontiff of All Armenians welcomed the more than 700 pilgrims into the Residence of the Catholicos where he received them in an audience in the large Reception Hall. His Holiness welcomed the group and praised their devotion and readiness to participate in their Divine Liturgy of Oath. He invited them to return often to renew their faith and nourish their spirits. During the audience, the children's choir of the Diocese of Aragatsotn performed songs for His Holiness and the pilgrims.
