Feast of the Universal Holy Church of Etchmiadzin celebrated in Tbilisi

On June 14, 2020, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church solemnly celebrated the Feast of the Universal Holy Church of Etchmiadzin. A Divine Liturgy was offered on the occasion of the Feast in the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

From early morning, Armenian faithful were hurrying to the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi and Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari to participate in the festive Divine Liturgies.

Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan celebrated a Divine Liturgy in Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari.

In attendance were intellectuals and many faithful.

During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant priest touched upon the mystery of the day, the story of the vision of Gregory the Illuminator, Patriarch of All Armenians presented by historian Agathangelos and the story of building of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Rev. Father spoke about the faithfulness of the Armenian people, the maintenance of the national values which carries out by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the leadership of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. ''In the Motherland and Diaspora, the church mysteries, ceremonies, rituals, folk traditions and cultural values are maintained, enriched and passed to new generations thanks to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. And that is the guarantee of our identity, sacred faith and eternity of our language'', the celebrant priest highlighted in his sermon.

Rev. Father praised Armenian faithful of Georgia, in particular, of Tbilisi, for their love, respect and devotion to Saint Etchmiadzin church and its power. In 19th century, with the donations by Armenians of Tbilisi lived in Avlabari district, a church with the same name was built, which proudly invites the faithful to gather around the church.

The celebrant priest encouraged the Armenian faithful to be united around the Armenian Church, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He wished salvation for all people around the world in the conditions of these difficult days when the pandemic spread, and asked Almighty God for peace and security for Armenia, Holy Etchmiadzin and Georgia.