Blessing of Foundation Service for New Church of Sevan

The Armenian Apostolic Church-Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On October 11, 2009, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the blessing of the foundation service for the new church in the city of Sevan. His Holiness was assisted by His Grace Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian, Grant Sacristan of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin and His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisian, Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkounik; and with the participation of the Members of the Brotherhood. In attendance for the service were the representatives of the regional and local authorities and hundreds of faithful from the local community.The benefactors of the Church are Mr. Sarkis Bedoian and Mr. Alain Manoukian, both from France. The architect is Mr. Artak Ghulian.

With the singing of church hymns, the Pontiff of All Armenians offered the service of blessing the foundation. According to the tradition of the Armenian Church, 16 stones dedicated to the twelve apostles, the Evangelists and St. Gregory the Illuminator, were first washed with water and wine and then anointed with Holy Chrism (Muron). These stones were then placed in the foundation of the Church. Following the service, Mr. Sarkis Bedoian, one of the church benefactors, spoke to those gathered and offered his words of happiness on this occasion.He thanked His Holiness for the honor of participating in the renewal of spiritual life in the homeland and expressed his hope that the newly built church would be a blessing to the city of Sevan and to the families in this community. Mr. Gevork Malkhasian, Mayor of Sevan, expressed his joy that at last there would be a church in the town of Sevan, where the faithful will offer their prayers to God.

At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness addressed the hundreds of faithful, extending his blessings and appreciation to the people in attendance. He stated that with God’s mercy, the faithful of Sevan would have a sacred place to offer their prayers to God, remaining true to the holy faith of their ancestors. His Holiness encouraged the residents of Sevan to be devoted to the Armenian Church as their predecessors were, so that no enemy could ever shake them from the true Orthodox faith. The Pontiff of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the benefactors of the Church as well as the representatives of the regional and local authorities for their devoted assistance.

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