The Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest and His Companions in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
21.02.2004
On Tuesday, February 17, the feast of St. Ghevond the Priest and His Companions was celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. On this occasion, nearly 100 priests from the dioceses of Armenia and Artsakh arrived in Holy Etchmiadzin to renew their oath to God, and to express their loyalty and love towards the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians.
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Mother Cathedral by Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Hovhannisian, Abbot of the Monastery of Gandzasar in the Diocese of Artsakh. During his sermon, Father Hovhannes retold the history of St. Ghevond, and the priests who were martyred with him following the Battle of Avarayr. "The mystery of Ghevondiants is eternal. It has always accompanied us throughout the pathways of history. Today, in the 21st century, it is the guarantee of our existence and victory, as it was proven at the end of the last century in Artsakh," noted Fr. Hovhannisian in his message.
As in past years on the occasion of this feast, the annual clergy conference was convened in the Mother See following the Liturgy, presided by His Holiness the Catholicos. Also in attendance were all of the Diocesan Primates from Armenia and members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin. This year's theme was "Service of the Church and clergymen to the younger generation". His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak, welcomed the priests and presented the agenda for the day. Following the reports of the representatives of the dioceses of Armenia and Artsakh, an open forum began, which gave all present the opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns regarding the issues under discussion.
At the conclusion of the conference, His Holiness expressed his appreciation and gave his Pontifical blessing to the clergy, exhorting them to lead the faithful flock with greater zeal and dedication, always being guided by the commandments of the Holy Gospel. "We are very glad that our Lord grants us such opportunities to gather in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, to renew our oath, to make the path of our mission clearer, to be encouraged and strengthened by means of united prayer, and to realize our mission in these challenging times," noted the Pontiff of All Armenians.
In commemoration of the feast day, and in appreciation for their devoted service, His Holiness issued Pontifical Encyclicals, elevating three priests to the rank of archpriest, granting six priests the honor to wear the ornamented cope, and 17 priests were granted the right to bear pectoral crosses.
Following Evening Services, the clergymen and members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin were received in the Pontifical Residence by His Holiness for a final audience to conclude the day's events.
