“Hrashapar” Service at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Trinity
02.02.2019
On February 2, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; accompanied by His Grace Bishop Haikazoon Najaryan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, visited the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Trinity, where the “Hrashapar” service was held.
The Catholicos of All Armenians was welcomed and led to the Church by the clergy of the diocese and members of the diocesan and parish councils, where His Holiness conveyed his blessings to the hundreds of community members gathered on this occasion.
Following the joint prayer and the Patriarchal “Protector” prayer, His Grace Bishop Haikazoon welcomed the Pontifical visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians to the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand and particularly, the first visit of the Armenian Pontiff to the Holy Trinity church, built four years ago, which became a spiritual home for the Armenian community. At the conclusion of the welcoming remarks, Bishop Haikazoon invited His Holiness to convey his blessings to the gathered faithful, with his prayer and message inspire the people and strengthen his connection with the Church.
The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed gratitude to the Almighty God that granted the grace to once again visit the Australian Armenians.
“We brought you love and blessings from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well as brought blessings from our sacred sanctuaries. My soul is full of delight and feelings, because we see you united and consolidated. Through joint efforts you acquired and embellished the Holy Trinity Church, so that you can have a permanent home for prayer, enjoy the graces of God and preserve your national-spiritual life and cultural values. Your achievements and successes have become possible because your fathers living here have educated their children with our national and spiritual heritage, always attaching great importance to the protection of the identity and strengthening the community life. They have turned your views and hearts towards the Motherland and our Holy Church which is the shelter of the soul of our people and the source of faith and the Lord's graces. With this confidence and devotion, your community's life will be fruitful, you will have courage and strength to keep the light shining from the Holy Altar of the Holy Trinity church with divine assistance, through which your and your children’s way of life will be enlightened and you will continue to praise the Lord with the psalmist saying: “The light of thy countenance shone upon us and you have given joy to our hearts”,” stated His Holiness.
In his remarks, His Holiness also referred to the challenges facing the Armenian community, the preservation of the Armenian identity, the national traditions and the issues of remaining faithful to the heritance of the Homeland. “We believe that God will support you on your good way of preserving the nation and the Church, will continue to spread His light, mercy and grace on you and will grant the joy of new accomplishments to your hearts. Our desire and urge to you is that your soul is always focused to the Motherland and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
We appreciate your efforts for the development and prosperity of the community life and convey our blessings to your pious initiatives. Follow the example of your grandfathers and fathers and create with god-gifted fervent love, love for the church and nation, devotion to family and friends, loyalty and zeal towards Australia and our Motherland, flaming and eternal love for our priceless heritage and traditions”, noted the Catholicos of All Armenians.
His Holiness prayed that the Almighty keep Australia in peace and prosperity and grant our people a long and happy life.
On the occasion of the visit, the Armenian Pontiff presented the Holy Trinity Church an image of the Lord's Crucifixion, also presented crosses from Holy Etchmiadzin to the attending faithful.
Following the service, a meeting and hospitality was held with the members of the community at the "Patmanian" hall of the Church during which the attendees had an opportunity to talk with the Catholicos of All Armenians in a warm atmosphere and receive dictations and urges of the Catholicos of All Armenians over various issues concerning their lives.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also had a separate meeting with the members of the Church Board, got acquainted with community programs and conveyed his blessing and appreciation to the lay members involved in church organizations for their devoted and dedicated service.
