On Sunday, April 7th, 2019, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy commemorating the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Descent into the “Khor Virab” Dungeon, at the Cathedral in Antelias. The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian, the Catholicosal Vicar in United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Following the service, the Catholicos led a traditional procession with the relic of the right hand of St. Gregory around the courtyard of the Catholicosate and returned to the Altar to celebrate blessing of the water by the relic.
In the sermon delivered by the celebrant priest, Bishop Mesrob talked about the challenges of the mission of the saint and interpreted them in the light of the challenges of the 21st century. He reminded the faithful that the Armenians survived the atrocities thanks to their strong faith inspired to them by the saint and invited them to renew their faith on this occasion.
Note that the relic of St. Gregory the Illuminator and of Catholicoi Saints; Nicholaos and St. Seghpestros (Sylvester), remained on the Altar for the people to venerate.
