The Renovation Of The Mother Cathedral Of Holy Etchmiadzin

“the entire Armenian nation is bound

to the Right Hand (of St. Gregory the Illuminator and Holy Etchmiadzin”

(VERY REV. FR. ARAKEL OF DAVRIZH)

The Feast of the Catholicon of Holy Etchmiadzin on June 23, 2019, will be observed at the Western Diocese with great jubilation and a special directive from the Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

Armenians have obtained their spiritual strength and consolation from the Armenian Church, which has been the enduring source of our people’s hope and inspiration. Considering the immense significance of Holy Etchmiadzin, as the spiritual center of the Armenian people, massive fundraising efforts are set to begin in the Western Diocese in support of the complete renovation of the Mother Cathedral. The budgeted amount for the renovation of the Cathedral is set at $10 million.

The fundraising will be expanded globally, involving the participation of Armenians around the world. After the completion of the renovation, a commemorative booklet containing the list of all benefactors and donors will be published. The booklet will also contain the detailed cost of the construction.

“Throughout history, the Armenian Church has grown, has prospered, has been strengthened, has carried on the apostolic mission, and at the same time, has been martyred in its quest to safeguard the Armenian identity and preserve our sacred inheritance from the Holy Gospel.” (Very Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Derderian). “The entire Armenian nation is bound to the Right Hand (of St. Gregory the Illuminator) and Holy Etchmiadzin” (Very Rev. Fr. Arakel of Davrizh).

It is due to this centuries-old conviction that each Armenian ought to extend a helping hand and participate in the complete and extensive renovation of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.

On this auspicious occasion, on Sunday, June 23, 2019, all parishes of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America will join the Dioceses of the Armenian Church around the world in reading The Pontifical Enclyclical (Gontag) of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Message of the Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocesan Primate, collectively participating in the Prayers for Pontifical Service (Hayrabedagan Maghtank). The day’s homily will reflect on the significance and the immense role of Holy Etchmiadzin in the religious and spiritual life of our nation.

On that day, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America will be the celebrant at St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral.

Reflecting on Holy Etchmiadzin, the Diocesan Primate writes “Holy Etchmiadzin is the mystery which characterizes each Armenian faithful, having enlightened the spiritual lives of our ancestors and continuing to do so to this day…Holy Etchmiadzin is the mystifying creation of our identity, a mystery before which we ought to humble ourselves as we envision the Descent of God’s Only Begotten Son from the Heavens…”