Pilgrims from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America in Holy Etchmiadzin
11.09.2003
On Sunday, September 7, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin received pilgrims from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Led by their newly elected Diocesan Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, they arrived in Armenia to participate in their "Divine Liturgy of Oath", dedicated the 1,700th Anniversary of the consecration of the Mother Cathedral of All Armenians.
On behalf of the pilgrims, the clergymen and all the faithful of his diocese, His Eminence celebrated his "Divine Liturgy of Oath" and delivered the message for the day. His Holiness Karekin II presided during the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop Hovnan was recently elected as Primate on May 3 of this year, and upon the Pontifical Order of the Catholicos of All Armenians, was confirmed as the leader of one of the largest Armenian Church dioceses in the world.
In his sermon to the faithful pilgrims, Archbishop Hovnan referred to the sacred mystery and mission of Holy Etchmiadzin in the life of the Armenian nation. He stated in part, "Today we have the strong conviction and the conscience of faith that Holy Etchmiadzin, with her history of 1,700 years, has become eternal . . . , characterizing and certifying our identity, by means of which many generations have combined their life with God and thus have given new meaning to their God-granted life, when the words of Christ: 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life' have echoed in their souls.
"For the Armenian Christian, the new life is Holy Etchmiadzin. For the Armenian Christian, the new life is a life inspired by Holy Etchmiadzin. The new life is a life embodying the sacred mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin. The new life is the apostolic life spreading and providing the spirit of Holy Etchmiadzin. The new life is a life comprehended through the echo of the tolling bells of Holy Etchmiadzin. Finally, the new life is a life changed by the vision of Holy Etchmiadzin," stated His Eminence.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II received the pilgrims in the Pontifical Residence, and welcomed them to the Mother See of the Armenian People. His Holiness reflected upon the important role which the diaspora has in the life and mission of the Church, and invited the pilgrims to return often to their Mother Cathedral.
