St. John the Evangelist Church Consecrated in Artashat

On May 31, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and with the attendance of Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Armenian Republic the consecration service of the newly built St. John the Evangelist Church in Artashat was offered.

The St. John the Evangelist Church held its foundation blessing on October 29, 2002, and was built through the charity of Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia; and the Abrahamyan family. The architects of the project are Mr. Artak Ghulyan, and Ms. Emma Fahradyan.

His Holiness and President Sargsyan were met in front of the church by His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, Vicar of the Araratyan Pontifical Diocese; and Prime Minister Abrahamyan. Accompanied by the clergy of the Araratyan Pontifical Diocese and high-ranking state officials, His Holiness and the President were led to the Church under the singing of “Hrashapar”, where the consecration service began.

Under the singing of hymns, and recitations of psalms and prayers, the Holy Chrism was processed to the Altar, where His Holiness consecrated the Holy Altar and  His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan; His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of Mother See; His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranyan, Dean of the Monasteries of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Director of Interchurch Relations of the Mother See; His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative Department of Mother See; and His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of Mother See; consecrated the columns of the altar, the baptismal font and the outer walls of the Church sanctuary. His Holiness named the newly built Church in honor of the St. John the Evangelist.

At the conclusion of the consecration service, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his message of blessing to the faithful. His Holiness, acknowledging with special appreciation the attendance of the President, high ranking government officials and the faithful, noted with confidence that the consecration of the St. John the Evangelist Church would enhance the blessings and graces in the Homeland.

“This magnificent church in the ancient Armenian capital of Artashat will bring new spiritual inspiration and involvement of the community. Under the arches of the Church, the faithful Armenians must strengthen in their souls a love of God, and receive spiritual comfort, sounding the words of the psalmist in their hearts: “Lord, I loved the grace of your house and the place of your glory”. The church is God’s presence in our lives, where every faithful person both lay and authority, husband and wife, young and old, enter the church with humility and raise their spiritual request to God. The Church grants sanctuary, by shedding the divine gift of life within the souls of the faithful who are united under its cherished arches, leading to prayerful communication with God. Our Holy Church is the birthplace of the Armenian soul, as characterized our renowned poet Vahan Tekeyan, because here we receive the power of implementation the virtues and the spiritual life. Under the auspices of the Church we commune with our centuries-old spiritual and national values, our history, and the priceless heritage that formed the Armenian national identity of our forefathers.

Here we are recognized as descendants of those who resounded God’s word in Armenian, Mesrop Mashtots, who created the Armenian alphabet; and his pupils, who launched the Armenian Golden Age; the impressed indelible mark on the Armenian spirit and identity by St. Gregory of Narek, St. Nerses the Graceful, the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and our numerous saints, who dedicated their lives to God, the nation and the Homeland. According to the Lord’s parable, this is the established house on the rock of Christ, which will preserve its children steadfast and strong. The church construction also commemorates the memory of our Holy Martyrs, who died with the vision of an independent and free country in their hearts, dreaming that our people enlighten their life and the national- ecclesiastical life under the auspices of an independent state. Faithful to the testament of our holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, let’s withstand the existing difficulties in our life, not become discouraged or weaken before the challenges and problems, but relying upon God, make the vision of our progressive and prosperous life and vibrant and powerful Homeland, a reality”, said His Holiness.

In his remarks, His Holiness encouraged the faithful to often visit a church, participate in the services, and fortify their will, strength and stamina, to carry out the wise commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ, to overcome the challenges of the times and difficulties of life, and always be firm in faith and patriotism.

On the occasion of the church consecration, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings to the benefactor of the church, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, gladly noting that the bearer of the vibrancy of the Church is the son of the benefactor, Mr. Argam Abrahamyan, who years ago, undertook the sponsorship of the renovation works of the St. John Church in the Mughni village of the Ararat region, offering a kind contribution to the advancement of the spiritual and religious life of the village.

In appreciation of the important contributions of the Abrahamyan family in the live of the Church, His Holiness granted the Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, to Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan.

His Holiness also conveyed his blessings to the architects and builders of the Church.

At the conclusion, Catholicos Karekin II wished that God always preserve the newly built Church. “May the increasing blessings of our holy church spread throughout our lives and protect our nations of Armenia and Artsakh, so that our people live in tranquil peace and security and build the bright future for all Armenians”.

On the spiritually renewing occasion, the Armenian Patriarch granted to the Church an Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.

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