During the evening service in Antelias on Great and Holy Tuesday, the Armenian Orthodox Church commemorated the parable of the Ten Maidens. After prayers and hymns on the theme, reminding the faithful to be prepared for the Day of Judgment, the priest read the parable (Matthew 25:14-30). As is the tradition, during the Gospel reading, ten young girls presented themselves in front of the Altar holding candles; the five ‘wise’ women were prepared to wait for the ‘bridegroom’ with their candles until he arrived, while the other five ‘foolish’ women were unprepared.

After the service, His Holiness Aram I received the ten young women and encouraged them to continue to safeguard their faith through the teachings of the Armenian church.