Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On March 24, the Armenian Church solemnly celebrated the Feast of Palm Sunday, which commemorates the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Years ago, with the Blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Palm Sunday is declared to be the Blessing of Children Day. 

On this occasion, following the Morning Service, His Holiness Karekin II presided over the blessing service of the four corners of the world (Andastan) and the Blessing of the Children in the courtyard of the Mother See

His Holiness conveyed his blessing to the children gathered at the Mother See, and the willow branches blessed during the Andastan service were distributed to the faithful.

On the occasion of the Feast, the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin participated in the Divine Liturgy in the St. Gayane Monastery. The Celebrant was His Grace Bishop Daniel Fntgyan, Head of the post-graduate department of Gevorgyan Theological Seminary.

Bishop Daniel, referring to the sacrament of the day, spoke about the significance of the past weeks, emphasizing that every Sunday is an important milestone in the life of the Church and the faithful, and through the sacrament of Palm Sunday, a door opens to the celebrations of the Resurrection of our Savior.

At the conclusion, the Celebrant Bishop, after offering a prayer to God, addressed the faithful people, urging them to follow the path of salvation filled with the sacrament of Palm Sunday.

With the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians, on the occasion of Palm Sunday, the Social Service Office of the Mother See organized the visit of more than 600 Artsakh children and their parents from all Armenian dioceses to Holy Etchmiadzin.

In front of the bell tower of the Mother Cathedral, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate of Artsakh Diocese His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan presided over the service of blessing of the children, following which books, prayer books and crosses were presented to the children of Artsakh.

Afterwards, a reception was organized for families from Artsakh in the congregational refectory of the Mother See, and a concert program was organized in the Youth Center of Etchmiadzin.