Pilgrims from the Dioceses of Romania and Bulgaria in Holy Etchmiadzin
16.06.2003
On Sunday, June 15, pilgrims from the Armenian Church Dioceses of Romania and Bulgaria, led by His Eminence Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian, Primate of both dioceses, were in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to participate in their "Divine Liturgy of Oath". In 2003, each diocese of the Armenian Church from throughout the world is organizing pilgrimages to the homeland, and the Mother See, to celebrate the 1,700th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon to the faithful.
"Etchmiadzin is our mother, our glory and our conscience. All that we have to present to the civilized world, we have obtained through Holy Etchmiadzin. To weaken Holy Etchmiadzin, is to weaken the soul of the people. Etchmiadzin is, and will always be, the most beloved and sacred site of our people," said His Eminence, exhorting the faithful to keep the Armenian Church alive and unshaken.
The Armenian Church has existed in both Romania and Bulgaria for many centuries. During the years of the Soviet regime, the spiritual activity of the Armenian communities of both countries was severely restricted, and many churches were closed. Beginning in the 1990's, and the advent of democratic governments in Romania and Bulgaria, the national and spiritual life in both dioceses is flourishing once again. Diocesan councils are functioning, existing Armenian churches are reopening, and new church sanctuaries are being built.
His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, greeted and welcomed the pilgrims to their Mother See on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. In attendance for the Liturgy, were the Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Armenia, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to the Republic of Armenia, high-ranking clergymen and many guests from abroad.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II received the pilgrims in the official Residence of the Catholicos. The Pontiff of All Armenians spoke of a past tradition which existed among the faithful of the Diocese of Romania, to come to Holy Etchmiadzin once year on a pilgrimage, and to visit with Catholicos of All Armenians Vasken I, of blessed memory. His Holiness Karekin II invited the pilgrims to re-institute this practice, stating "We remember when the Diocese of Romania would come to visit Pontiff Vasken I every year, since they were his students from some time ago. I too was a student of His Holiness, and so we invite you, as the children of his students, to come to Holy Etchmiadzin on the blessed Catholicos' birthday, and organize a pilgrimage every year on that day." The pilgrims happily accepted the suggestion of His Holiness Karekin II, and will plan to return in 2004.
