The Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Decent of St. Gregory the Illuminator into the Pit on the Sixth and final Sunday of Great Lent, known as the Sunday of Advent (Kalsdyan Giragi). On this day, the Holy See of Cilicia also marks the Catholicosate’s Pilgrimage Day.
St. Gregory the Illuminator is the Patron Saint of the Armenian Church. He is referred to as Illuminator for spreading the light of Jesus Christ and formally establishing the Armenian Church. St. Gregory underwent passion and was imprisoned in a pit (Khor Virab) for over a decade.
As such, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian, who also delivered the sermon, on Sunday, March 26th, 2023.
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 the blessing of the water by the relic. Note that it is solely on this day that the relic of the right hand of St. Gregory is revealed.
The relic of St. Gregory the Illuminator and of Catholicoi Saints; Nicholaos and St. Seghpestros, remained on the Altar for the people to venerate.
Notably, on the eve of the feast, March 25th, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the morning commemorating the descent of St. Gregory the Illuminator into the dungeon, and, in the evening, a vigil service was held dedicated to the pilgrimage day, presided by His Holiness Aram I, who also delivered the message of the feast, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias.
