PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
April 30, 2006

Celebration of Youth in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On Palm Sunday, April 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, hosted the 7th Annual Day of Youth in Holy
Etchmiadzin.  Soon after his election and enthronement as the 132nd Pontiff
of the Armenian Church, His Holiness declared Palm Sunday to be an annual
day for blessing children.

Immediately following Morning Services, the Catholicos of All Armenians
offered a special “Andastan” service in the courtyard of the Mother
Cathedral, where he blessed the four corners of the world, as well as
thousands of willow branches which were to be distributed to the young boys
and girls as they arrived in the Mother See.

At 11:00 AM, a special Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Vasken
Nanian, a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and Vice Dean of the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary.  At the conclusion of the Liturgy, His
Holiness invited all the children to gather around him standing before the
Holy Altar of Descent, where he offered a special service and prayer for
blessing the young sons and daughters of the Armenian people.

In the afternoon, His Holiness opened the doors of the Pontifical Residence
to the children of the city of Vagharshapat.  Led by the mayor of the city,
hundreds of young boys and girls were treated to a special tour of the
museums and were received by the spiritual father of all Armenians.  His
Holiness congratulated the young guests and delivered a special fatherly
message and blessing to them.

In keeping with the spirit of the day, His Holiness also received students
from the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School in Southern California,
who had traveled to Armenia on their annual pilgrimage.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress