Armenian Catholici Concelebrate for the Feast of the Ascension at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
May – June 2014
On May 29, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The day also commemorates the return of the Catholicosate of All Armenians from Sis to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 1441. Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; Divine Liturgy was offered in the Mother Cathedral.
Present at the service were Members of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, and the Great House of Cilicia. Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Centre of the Mother See, was the celebrant of the Divine Liturgy.
At the conclusion of the service, His Grace Bishop Arshak Kachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See, offered his sermon on the sacrament of the day. “Today with blessings and with the presence of His Holiness Karekin II and His Holiness Aram I, our church celebrates the Feast of Ascension, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This feast testifies that the Lord is always with us: “I am with you till the end of the world”, says Christ. Indeed, this is a world shattering and unique announcement. The world is changing, but that change first of all occurs with the transformation of mankind. And among those global changes only Christ is unchanging with the eternal amicable calling, “I am with you till the end of the world”.
Both solidarity and animosity walk side by side in this world; thorns are often offered to people in cotton and poison is served with honey, but Jesus Christ is persistent and determined in his announcement, “I am with you”. He doesn’t say; I am with you if you are with me. He states with an unfaltering voice, I am with you regardless if you are with me or not, I am with you in your troubles, your joy, your heartache and fervor, in all walks of your lives. After Christ’s Ascension this mission did not perish. Christ Himself established the foundation which is called to continue His great and benevolent mission to be with people in this world. For centuries that mission has been carried on in our people’s lives by our Holy Church with all its structures, devout clergymen and servants. Our Church was next to the brave soldiers in Avarayr, as well as in Sardarapat. On these days we commemorated their memory with the attendance of many faithful clergymen, people, government leaders and academia”.
Reflecting on the history of the return of the Catholicosate of All Armenian’s from Sis to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Bishop Arshak noted, “Fifty years ago, in 1941, through the close brotherly collaboration between the Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg VI of blessed memory, and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Karekin I of blessed memory, a tradition was established, in celebrating the 500th anniversary of the return of the Catholicosate. No words are needed; facts speak for themselves. Their fraternal love and compassion was strengthened due to their predecessors’ efforts and devotion. Today the presence and attendance of the Catholicos of All Armenians together with the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia in this sacred celebration is the testimony of Our Lord’s pledge to always be with our people. With its mission and persistent presence in the lives of the people, Our Church is showing its willingness according to Christ’s promise to be with the people”.
At the conclusion, His Grace Bishop Arshak invited the clergymen and pilgrims to pray for a radiant life for the Catholicos of All Armenians, and prosperity and welfare to the Armenian Church in all the corners of the world, in all the moments and conditions.
Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, and His Holiness Aram I, a Special Prayer Service was offered for vibrancy of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and long years of pontificate to the Catholicos of All Armenians.
