104Th Archbishop Of Canterbury Rt. Hon. Rowan Williams Delivers Powerful Message On The Feast Of The Holy Translators At St. Yeghiche Armenian Church In London 

(Courtesy of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of the UK and Ireland)

Traditionally, October is a month of celebrations of Armenian cultural heritage. It starts with the feast of the Holy Translators, who laid the foundation of Armenian religious literature, culture, and art in the 5^th century. In Armenia, it’s tradition for students to visit Oshagan, to the church where Mesrop Mashtots is buried.

On October 10, 2021, The Rt. Rev’d and Rt. Hon. Professor Rowan Williams, the 104^th Archbishop of Canterbury , was the special guest at St. Yeghishe Armenian Church in London.  He was introduced by the Primate, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, who had invited the eminent theologian, scholar and church leader to deliver the sermon on the occasion of the feast of the Holy Translators. 

In his address, Archbishop Williams reflected on the resilience of the Armenian people whose source is derived from God’s love and mercy. The Rt. Rev. Williams also referenced to the lasting impact of the Holy Translators in the life of the world’s first Christian nation.

So as the friends of Armenia pray for the Armenian Church and the Armenian people throughout the world, it is that gift of freedom that we pray for, the freedom to be Good News for the world, to speak to the world around of God’s promise, of mercy and reconciliation, of justice and of love. My prayer for the Armenian people and the Armenian Church is that freedom will never be taken away, will never be crushed by prejudice and hostility, by the violence that is so often endured by your people. But let us also remember that further element we must think about when we celebrate the Holy Translators. I said a few moments ago that God Himself is translated into the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, the everlasting Word of God speaks to us in the life, and death, and resurrection of a human being like you and me, while still remaining eternally God.” Stated the Rt. Rev. Williams in part.

Armenia’s Ambassador to the UK, H. E. Varuzhan Nersesyan, accompanied by his spouse Narine attended the Divine Liturgy, along with professors from various universities and representatives from Baroness Cox’s HART foundation.