On November 2, a special prayer was held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to mark the 26th anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Following the Divine Liturgy, a patriarchal blessing was delivered, and for veneration, the reliquary of the Saints of Skevra was brought out.
During the service, prayers were offered for the Armenian captives held in Baku, for the clergy currently imprisoned in Armenia, and for the soul and protection of businessman Samvel Karapetyan, according to Pastinfo.
The ceremony was attended by diocesan primates of the Armenian Apostolic Church, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, monastics of the Mother See, and numerous pilgrims, as reported by the Information Service of the Mother See.
The celebrant was Archbishop Haykazun Najarian, a member of the brotherhood of the Mother See. In his sermon, he congratulated the Catholicos on the anniversary of his consecration and enthronement, and reflected on his spiritual, cultural, educational, and ecclesiastical achievements, wishing him a steadfast patriarchate for the glory of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the comfort of the faithful, and the strength of the homeland.
A pontifical blessing was then offered at the Holy Altar of Descent, led by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the Department of External Relations and Protocol of the Mother See.
The message stated: “Those present raised prayers to God for the steadfastness and brilliance of the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and for His Holiness’s good health, long life, and enduring patriarchate.”
