On February 10, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the memory of Saint Ghevondian priests. On this occasion, H.E. A Holy and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated in the Miatznaej Cathedral under the presiding of His Holiness Karekin the Second Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
217 ecclesiastics serving in dioceses and church structures, diocesan prelates, congregants of the Mother See and many faithful Armenians were present at the sacred ceremony.
The priest from Masyatsotni Diocese was Fr. Eznik priest Mardiryan.
In his sermon, the liturgical Father, referring to the advice of the day, emphasized: "The feat of St. Ghevondyan is not just a historical fact, but a lasting message to live with unyielding faith. It is a call to remain in the same spiritual struggle in today's changing world and to firmly anchor our lives in Christian values. The example of the incense saints teaches us that faith is not only a creed, but also courage to face the trials of time and to remain faithful to our native traditions and the covenant of St. Etchmiadzin."
At the end of the sermon, Father Yeznik requested that the Lord would strengthen the pilgrim congregation of Saint Etchmiadzin, the clergy and the God-loving and pious people through the intercession of Saint Ghevondyan.
At the end of the Holy Liturgy, the awards ceremony of the priests took place in the ceremonial hall of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary. His Excellency Fr. Musegh Bishop Babayan.
Then the traditional award ceremony took place. In appreciation of the dedicated and effective pastoral service in the Armenian Church, a number of clergymen were awarded the honor of senior priesthood, the right to wear a floral pylon and a sloping cross.
From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, Fr. Yesai priest Artenyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria, Fr. Priest Daniel Garachyan.
The right to wear a floral pylon was granted by the Mother See to Fr. Rev. Hovel Gamaghelyan, Fr. Ararat priest Poghosyan, Fr. Ascension priest Danielyan, Fr. Priest Markos Mangasaryan, Fr. To priest Enovk Yesayan, Yerevan St. Spiritual minister of Grigor Lusavorich Mother Church T. Arnak priest Harutyunyan, from the diocese of Masyatsotn, Fr. Priest Grigor Hovhannisyan, from Artik Diocese, Fr. Priest Yeghishe Nazaryan, Fr. Priest Vigen Ghazaryan, from the Diocese of Tavush, Fr. Priest Shavarsh Simonyan, Fr. Priest Aram Mizoyan, from Shirak Diocese, Fr. Rev. Tatev Marukyan, from Gegharkunyats diocese, Fr. Rev. Mesrop Yeritsyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Vir, Virap priest Ghazaryan, Fr. Rev. Armash Poghosyan, Fr. Father Tadeos Ter-Mkrtchyan, Fr. Ararat priest Gumbalyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Krasnodar and North Caucasus, Fr. Khachatur priest Yeghiazarov, Fr. Father Gyut Ghahramanyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Romania, Fr. Priest Grigor Holka, Fr. Oshakan priest Khachatryan, from the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, Fr. Rev. Avetis Hambardzumyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, Fr. Anania priest Babayan, Fr. Mashtots priest Hakobyan, Fr. Priest Sebeos to Galachyan, Fr. Send priest Amiryan, Fr. Rev. Markos Sargsyan, Fr. Ashot priest Ghazaryan, Fr. Priest Vigen Manukyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Switzerland, Fr. Thanks to Rev. Chekijian.
Fr. Priest Vahram Sargsyan, from the Diocese of Tavush, Fr. Artak priest Mirzoyan, Fr. Priest Barsegh Mkrtchyan, Fr. Priest Koryun Papikyan, Fr. Priest Aram Baghumyan, Fr. Priest Yeghia Pahlevanyan, from Shirak Diocese, Fr. Priest Koryun Matevosyan, Fr. Priest Sargis Sardaryan, from the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Fr. Rev. Ghevond Ghevondyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, Fr. Priest Mesrop Nazaryan, from the Armenian Eastern Diocese of the USA, Fr. Priest Harutyun Sapunjian, from the Armenian Diocese of Romania, Fr. Eznik priest Torgomyan, from the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, Fr. Priest Yeremia Vardanyan.
At the end of the award ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians gave his blessing and patriarchal message to the present churchmen, referring to the ever-bright example of patriotism, courage and self-sacrifice of Saints Ghevondyan, witnesses of faith in Christ.
"The War of the Vardanians was not only a military resistance, but also a spiritual battle, which, with the motto "For Faith and For Homeland", became a powerful struggle for our identity, our faith and for an independent and free life. It is no coincidence that this heroic struggle had a great impact on our people. For centuries, the children of our nation have been inspired and glorified by the bright example of the bravery of Saints Ghevondyan and Vardan and bravely faced trials. Indeed, the sacred holidays of Saints Ghevondyan and Vardanan are a sign of our people's loyalty to God, Christian sanctities and values and a testimony of our spiritual and national identity.
Saints Ghevondyank and Vardanank tell us not to repent, because hardships and difficulties are temporary, and the power of faith is invincible. These holidays teach to put national interests above one's own, to prefer the spiritual, moral and virtuous over materialism," His Holiness noted, adding that Saints Ghevondyank and Vardanank show that the grip on the sacred heritage of the Church and the ancestors will always fail and will fail, receiving strong resistance from the clergy and the pious children of our nation.
"Nowadays, our people are facing serious problems, our Holy Church is facing various repressions and attacks. The anti-church campaign undertaken by the Prime Minister is already open. The mission of the Church is hindered and serious damage is done to the spiritual and ecclesiastical life of our people. In court cases, with open violations of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia, illegal and unjust steps, the government interferes with the internal church life by abusing the state levers. Clergy, from deacons to bishops, are subjected to persecution and coercion," the Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized, affirming that the Church is the spiritual home of all of us, and resisting the attacks directed at it, protecting the Church's autonomy is everyone's collective duty and responsibility before God, the motherland and future generations.
Addressing the present spiritual fathers, His Holiness said: "As servants of God and spiritual servants of our people, it is our sacred duty to keep our Holy Church strong, as "the Church of the living God, a pillar and institution of the truth" according to the apostolic word (1 Tim. 3:15). Together, let's face the malicious steps to sow division and enmity in the national and ecclesiastical world, being the defender of justice and truth. Let's make the spirit and dedication of the Ghevondyans and Vardanians the guiding force of Armenians around the world, paving the way to spiritual awakening and building a good future of our people with the strength of faith, brotherly love and national unity."
At the end, congratulating the clergy on the occasion of the feast of Saints Ghevondians, as well as the priests who received the award, the Armenian Patriarch requested that the Most High God, through the intercession of Saints Ghevondians and Vardans, grant peace to the whole world, strengthen the determination of the spiritual class to serve and act for the love and protection of the native state and national interests, and for the brightness of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.
The meeting ended with the "Protector" prayer of the Armenian Patriarch.
