New Year and Christmas Schedule at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
2013/2014
In continuation of an annual tradition at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, festive lights and a Nativity scene recreating the birth place of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, will be open from December 26th until January 13th. The Mother Cathedral will remain open each night until 9:00 p.m. Bishop Hovnan Hakobian, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, announced the schedule of services throughout the Christmas season:
31 December – Second Day of the Fast of Nativity Special services offered on New Year’s Eve for the blessings of the New Year 2014. Services start at midnight.
1 January – Third Day of the Fast of the Nativity Celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the New Year 2014. Services start at 10:00 a.m.
5 January – Eve of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ Celebration of special Candlelight Divine Liturgy. Services start at 17:30 p.m.
6 January – Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ Pontifical Celebration of the Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters service. Services start at 10:30 a.m. Live global telecast schedule to be announced
7 January – Second Day of Nativity, Day of the Remembrance of the Dead (Memorial Day) Celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Services start at 10:30 a.m.
The grounds of the Mother See have been decorated due to the generosity of US benefactors Deacon and Mrs Charles and Grace Pinajian and their children, Mrs Lynne Beylerian and Mr. Paul Pinajian, who over the years have donated hundreds of strands of light and figures along with the model of the Bethlehem manger. Workers take several days to set up the scene and lights each year.
Thousands of faithful visit the Mother See every Christmas season to see the beautiful lights and displays, and visitors are again invited this year to pay a special visit to Holy Etchmiadzin.
