Pilgrims from the Diocese of Southern Russia in Holy Etchmiadzin
29.07.2003
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ was marked by a memorable event for the faithful flock of the Armenian Diocese of Southern Russia. On Sunday July 27, more than 100 pilgrims from Southern Russia, among them representatives of the diocesan and parish councils, Chairman of the State Duma of the city of New Aramavir, V. I. Pavlichenko; representatives of the municipal authorities of the town Slavyansk, and faithful Armenians living in the cities, towns and regions of Southern Russia, arrived in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to participate in their "Divine Liturgy of Oath", dedicated to the 1700th Anniversary of the consecration of the Mother Cathedral of All Armenians.
The primate of the diocese, His Grace Bishop Movses Movsisian, led the pilgrims to Armenia and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided during the liturgy.
In his sermon, His Grace Bishop Movses delivered a significant message dedicated to the sacred mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin, exhorting the people to remain faithful to the Holy Mother Church and See founded by the Holy Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, and St. Gregory the Illuminator. "Today we have come here, to this holiest of places, to express our filial obedience and deep love towards the Armenian Pontiff. We, the faithful sons and daughters of the Armenian Church, vow to make every effort to be the worthy scions of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin," said His Grace in his sermon.
His Holiness Karekin II hosted a reception in honor of the pilgrims from Southern Russia in the Pontifical Residence following the Divine Liturgy. He presented the primate of the diocese with a marble relief of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin as a gift for the diocesan headquarters in Krasnodar.
