As one of the earliest battles for Christianity, the Battle of Avarayr in 451 played a crucial role in defending Armenians’ faith. St. Vartan Mamigonian, leading the Armenian army against the larger Sassanid Persian Army, symbolizes the unwavering commitment of the Armenian people to their religious beliefs. The Feast of Saint Vartan and his companions is annually observed on the Thursday of the eighth week before Easter.

On Thursday, February 8th, 2024, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy commemorating the Feast of St. Vartan and his companions at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. The Liturgy was conducted by HE Arch Gomidas Ohanian, who also delivered a sermon.

Following the service, a celebration organized by the Seminarians took place in the atrium of the Catholicosate, attended by the faithful. The celebration featured national songs honoring the feast.

Concluding the celebration, His Holiness Aram I delivered his pontifical message, where he highlighted the significance of national symbols, emphasizing St. Vartan and Ghevont Yerets—the priest who fought alongside St. Vartan—as inspirations in the ongoing battle for national and religious identity. He underscored their role as proofs of the inseparable unity of faith, motherland, and religion, stressing the national commitment to prioritize the interests of the motherland. At the end of his speech Aram I exhorted the seminarians to follow the example of St. Vartan and Ghevont Yerets.