Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On May 28, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church commemorated the Feast Day of St. Gayane and her Companions, which coincided with the Republic Day this year.

From May 27 to June 2, the Armenian Church celebrates the Araratian Week. It is marked by the commemoration of the St. Hripsime and St. Gayane and their companions, Hovhannes Karapet, as well as the feasts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator's coming out of Pit and the feast of Holy Etchmiadzin.

In the morning, the procession of clergymen accompanied by the faithful, moved to the St. Gayane Monastery. The procession was led by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; to the Arch of Saint Gregory the Illuminator,  blessing the clergymen and faithful with the Holy Right Hand of the Saint.

Then, His Holiness Karekin II, passed the Holy Right Hand of the Saint on to Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Harutyun Kirakosyan.

In front of the Saint Gayane Monastery, the procession was welcomed by His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranyan, Dean of the Monasteries, spiritual servants and numerous faithful Armenians.

A Divine Liturgy was offered in the St. Gayane Monastery on the occasion of the sacrament of the day. The Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Mattheos Poghosyan, Abbot of the St. Gayane Monastery.

In his sermon, the Archimandrite, referring to the life and history of martyrdom of the virgins of Saint Gayane, emphasized that they became the chosen ones of the Lord's heavenly kingdom with their impeccable purity, unshakable faith, virtuous behavior, courage and boldness, imbued with love for God.

"Today, dear ones, is May 28, one of the heroic pages of our history, and by a beautiful coincidence, the feast of the Virgins of Gayane has coincided with the victory day of the heroic battle of Sardarapat. Even today, our country is facing severe trials. However, we are sure that with our strong Christian faith, with the help of the Lord, we will overcome these difficult times as well", stated Father Mattheos, asking for the intercession of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime for the brightness of the Church, the peace and security of the homeland.

During the Divine Liturgy, on the occasion of the Republic Day, under the solemnity of the Catholicos of All Armenians, a Republican prayer was offered.

The clergymen and the attending people offered a prayer to God for the steadfastness of the Republic of Armenia, peaceful, prosperous and safe life.

At the conclusion of the Republican prayer, His Holiness blessed the faithful with the "Protector" prayer and relic of St. Gayane.