Candlelight Divine Liturgy of the Holy Resurrection in the St. Gayane Monastery
11.04.2020
On April 15, Holy Saturday, the eve of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ;, the Brotherhood of the Mother See, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; participated in the Candlelight Divine Liturgy in St. Gayane Monastery.
The Celebrant was His Grace Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian, Director of the the Office on Ecclesiastical Issues of the Mother See.
Prior to the Evening Services, different parts of the Bible were read, following which four Deacons of the Mother See read letters of the Prophet Daniel.
During the Divine Liturgy, in his sermon, His Grace Bishop Vasken, congratulating the Pontiff of All Armenians; the Brotherhood of the Mother See and All Armenians on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of God’s Son, offered prayer to Almighty God, that may this bright holiday bring abundant benefits to our people, the country, and the Mother Church, and may it strengthen our faith, hope, love, and compassion in these pandemic difficult conditions.
“The good news of the Glorious Resurrection of our Savior, under the rings of the bells of the monasteries of the Mother See, may spread on the families, comfort the mourners, heal the patients, grant everyone with happiness, love and peace. Though, depending on the circumstances, many of you could not lit the Candlelight candles from the lamp of the Church, there is no need to retreat, pray gathered around the holiday table and light the candles being kept in the sacred corners of the house, and may that spiritual light and warmth, with the mystery of the day, keep the spiritual atmosphere in the warm family environment.
In those days, let our homes become our places of worship, let the candles of faith be burnt and censed and the heartfelt prayer will bring happiness, love and joy to the family which has became a temple.
May the good news of the Resurrection reach the proud and brave soldiers and commanders who keep our borders, so that they will strengthen the Armenian powerful Army with fraternal love and solidarity.
May this sacred day bring patience, strength and vigor to our beloved doctors who save lives, heal the people and provide parental care to the patients, who, like the Armenian border guards, left their home and children, and ensure our people’s right to live. I want to say that we love you a lot.
The Feast of the Resurrection of God’s Son, which the victory over death, may grant our police officers and the servants of law enforcement agencies with strong will and confidence to continue to keep the security of our beloved Armenia and the peace of its people.
May this feast, which announces the revival of the nature, make the Armenian sacred land blessed, strengthen the farmers, so that they continue to make our faithful people prosperous.
The bright and warm feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ, may open new horizons for the Armenian Church, may the incessant prayers raising from our monasteries and churches keep our beloved people and country in peace, love and happiness” _ wished His Grace Bishop Vasken, exhorting all to continue to live with kind and creative activities, to love one another unceasingly and surround the homeland with care and mercy, with the good news of the Liturgy “Christ rose from the dead, has conquered death, and gave us life through His Resurrection”.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Catholicos of All Armenians ascended the Holy Altar and lit a candle, symbolizing the light of Christ.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy went to the Pontifical Residence, where, under the presidency of the Pontiff of All Armenians an Easter Home-Blessing Service was offered.
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