PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
June 12, 2007

Celebration of the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin

On Sunday, June 10, the worldwide Armenian Church and nation celebrated the
Feast of the Universal Church of Holy Etchmiadzin.  The annual celebration
commemorates the founding and establishment of the mother cathedral of the
Armenian people in 301 A.D.  The preceding day, the Armenian Church
celebrated the Deliverance of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the Pit,
which commemorates the patron saint’s liberation from the deep dungeon and
the beginning of the conversion of the noble house of Armenia to
Christianity.

In the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the feast was commemorated with the
celebration of a special Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.  His Grace
Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See, celebrated the
liturgy.

On Saturday, during Evening Services, the relics of St. Gregory the
Illuminator were placed in the center of the Cathedral next to the Holy
Altar of Descent, and were venerated by the faithful throughout the night,
into the next morning and throughout the day of the feast.