Presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Monday, February 13th, 2023, the eve of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Temple was celebrated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. During the special service, Antasdan (Blessing of the Four Corners of the World), presenting the children to the altar for blessing, and the traditional bonfire took place.

The core message of His Holiness’ homily was the power of collective faith, determination, hope, and vision in overcoming the challenges in life. Citing 1 Corinthians 12.26: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it,” His Holiness pointed to the suffering of the Armenian communities in Artsakh—due to the Azerbaijani blockade of the only road to and from Artsakh, and in the Syria-Turkey border—due to the devastating earthquake on February 6^th, and exhorted the faithful to stay steadfast in their faith and trust in the Lord through prayer. In the second part of his address, the Catholicos focused on the message of the feast and encouraged the present parents to follow the example of Mary and Joseph.  

At the end of the service, a candle was brought from the altar by the grand sacristan and given to the Catholicos, who initiated the lighting ceremony. Subsequently, a procession headed by His Holiness moved to the courtyard and lit the traditional bonfire.