Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On November 05, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, attended the Divine Liturgy in the St. Gayane Monastery. The Celebrant was His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus.

Congratulating the Armenian Pontiff on the anniversary of the enthronement, the Celebrant stated in part: “During the years of Your Holiness' enthronement, our Church experienced new ups and downs in the spiritual-educational, church-building and spiritual-pastoral arenas. Thanks to you, many churches were built, the bells of which have become silent invitations to the spiritual awakening of our people.

You comforted the children of the suffering Armenian people with your Patriarchal sensitive messages, leading them to patriotism and accompanying them through difficult and alarming stormy paths.

…Your Holiness, with the Sunday evangelical sacrament and spiritual joy, we congratulate the auspicious feast of Your Holiness' consecration, raising a prayer to the Almighty God, that the Lord will keep your patriarchal staff flourishing, to shepherd and guide your faithful flock for many years."

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the consecration and enthronement of the Patriarch of All Armenians, a Pontifical prayer was fulfilled. The sacred ceremony was presided over by the Pontifical delegate of Western Europe and the representative of the Catholicos of All Armenians in the Vatican, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Parsamyan. The attending clergymen and the faithful people raised a prayer to God for the steadfastness and brightness of the Patriarchate of All Armenians, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well as for the good health of His Holiness, long life and many years of unshakable throne.