Special Blessing Service in St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Yerevan
10.09.2002
On Monday, September 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during a special service held in the Mother Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Yerevan. Present for the service were a number of the benefactors of the Cathedral, Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simone of New York, USA; and Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian of New Jersey, USA. Participating in the service were His Grace Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian, and the Members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Pontifical procession entered the cathedral to the singing of the ?Hrashapar? hymn, and approached the Main Altar of the Cathedral built to commemorate 1,700 years of Official Armenian Christianity. In his remarks, His Holiness mentioned that the cathedral bears the stamp of three Catholicoi of the Armenian Church. In 1990, His Holiness Vasken I of blessed memory consecrated the soil in the location where the future cathedral would one day stand. In 1996, His Holiness Karekin I of blessed memory blessed the foundation for the new sanctuary as construction commenced. Construction of the cathedral concluded last year, and was consecrated on September 23, 2001, on the occasion of the 1,700th jubilee year by His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians.
His Holiness further mentioned that the dream of building this church for the population of Yerevan was realized only through the generosity of national hero and benefactor Mr. Alex Manoogian and his wife, Mrs. Marie Manoogian. Although both entered their eternal rest prior to witnessing the completion of the cathedral, their God-pleasing work was continued by their children, Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simone and Mr. Richard Manoogian. His Holiness expressed his deep gratitude to the Manoogian Family for the numerous church programs and activities they have undertaken, and their unfaltering support of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Church and Armenia.
The Cathedral complex also has two chapels, named after St. Trdat and St. Ashkhen, King and Queen of Armenia. Mr. and Mrs. Nazar Nazarian, the benefactors of the St. Trdat Chapel, were thanked by His Holiness for their support and generosity of this project, as well as many others throughout Armenia.
At the conclusion of his remarks, His Holiness awarded the 1,700 Anniversary Medal to Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simone, Mr. Nazar Nazarian and Mrs. Artemis Nazarian as a token of his appreciation on behalf of the faithful of the Armenian Church.
