Solemn ceremony of opening of Saint Grigor Enlightener cathedral was held in Yerevan yesterday. Construction of the cathedral had already started during the lifetime of Catholicos Vazgen I and continued under Catholicos Garegin II. Opening of the temple, bearing the name of the founder of Armenian Apostolic Church, became the culmination of the festivities, dedicated to the 1700-th anniversary of adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. Heads and representatives of 25 fraternal Christian churches, the Presidents, members of the Governments and Parliaments of both Armenian states, members of French Senate and Russian State Duma, the Governor of Saint-Petersburg, world-wide known singer Charles Aznavour were among the honorary guests present at the solemn ceremony. After the ceremony of consecration of the temple, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia came out with a welcoming speech.
Relics of Saint Grigor Enlightener, brought from Vatican by Catholicos Garegin II, will be stored in the temple. Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Garegin II and head of the Roman Catholic Church John Paul II will celebrate a joint ecumenical mass in Grigor Enlightener temple the day after tomorrow.
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