On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, January 5, 2025, His Holiness Aram I presided over the Christmas Vigil Service (Jrakaluyts – Lighting of the Candles) at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the grand sacristan of the Cathedral, V. Rev. Fr. Oshin Tchvalertanian, lit a candle from the altar, symbolizing the Light of Christ, and handed it to the Catholicos, who then passed the light to the faithful.
Following this, the pontifical procession, led by His Holiness, sang the Christmas hymn announcing the birth of Christ as they made their way to the atrium of the Catholicate, where the traditional Blessing of Home service was held.
At the end of the service, His Holiness blessed the congregation with the “Bahbanich” prayer and conveyed his pontifical and paternal good wishes to them.
Notably, according to tradition, after the ceremony, His Holiness, along with the Fathers of the Congregation, the seminarians, and the servants of the Cathedral, gathered for an agape meal. During this occasion, His Holiness conferred upon V. Rev. Fr. Azad Filikian the right to wear the cross (Lanchakhatch) in recognition of his dedication and service.
