With God's blessing, we entered the New Year 2026, leaving behind us the past with its difficulties and successes, sorrows and happiness.
The New Year opens before us with new hopes and expectations, new plans and blessings. Indeed, on the first day of the new year 2026, Thursday, January 1, at 10:00 in the morning, the first Holy and Immortal Liturgy of the year was celebrated in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Antilias, under the chairmanship of H.E. Aram A. His Holiness the Patriarch and with the participation of the Fathers of the Congregation, parishioners and believers.
The minister was Hogsh. T. David Abh. Asayan. After the Holy Liturgy, gathering in the hall of the monastery, Hogsh. T. Avetik Rev. Mr. Karapetian translated for the audience and read a message. After welcoming and congratulating the Patriarch, the congregation fathers and those present, he said that it is nice to receive the first greeting of the year from the church, from the house of the Lord.
Therefore, let's greet each other with the love of Christ, which includes a peace that is different from the peace given by the world. The Holy Father referred to the importance of the patriarchal declaration, "The Year of Renewal of Spiritual Life" in the life of our families, our structures and organizations, and our church.
At the end, he congratulated the congregants of the Holy See of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the faithful people of the Great House, wishing him a long reign, perfect health, success of new projects and successful navigation against rough seas.
Then, His Holiness sent his patriarchal message. He sent praise and thanks to the Almighty for giving us another year of his infinite blessing and love. The Patriarch referred to the New Year's Council and the message coming from it. He said that the new year is an opportunity to revise our life and correct what was wrong.
The New Year is an invitation for every individual, organization and nation to be renewed, with the blessing of God and the heavenly graces, truths and values brought to the world by His Only Begotten Son. Last year, the life of our people was cloudy, especially in Armenia. it is my wish and prayer that all kinds of dark clouds leave us and our life is filled with spring and new thoughts.
Let our life be filled with brotherly love, national, general and superior values and ideals. It is also my wish that the coming new year will be a year full of new accomplishments and successes for our people, from the Motherland to the diaspora of the world.
Therefore, may the Almighty keep our Motherland strong, our nation unshakable, our church bright and our families happy. Give health to the sick, success to the work and a long, happy and healthy life to the beloved children of our people, Aram I concluded his message. His Holiness the Patriarch.
