Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ
On February 14, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the presentation of the 40-day baby Jesus to the Temple. The festivities began on the evening of February 13.
On this occasion, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; presided during an Evening Service which proclaimed the start of the Lord’s Feast.
Following the Evening Service, His Holiness performed the Andastan Service wherein the four corners of the world: the Homeland and Patriarchy of All Armenians, the settlements and their inhabitants, monasteries and churches and the bounty of the year were blessed.
At the conclusion of the service, under the delightful hymn “Christ in Glory”, a candle was lit by His Holiness from the Holy Altar of Descent, and was processed to the courtyard of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary, where a traditional fire was lit, symbolizing the Light and Wisdom of Christ.
The Seminarians of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary recited psalms and sang national songs, and the faithful who were present lit candles from the fire and carried them to their homes.
