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: [email protected]
Website:
August 19, 2008
Preparations Underway for Blessing of the Holy Muron
>From the time of the first Catholicos of All Armenians – St. Gregory the
Illuminator, the right to bless the Holy Muron (Chrism) has been reserved
for the consecrated head of the Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians.
The blessing of the Holy Muron, which traditionally occurs once every seven
years, will take place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the Feast of
the Holy Cross of Varag, September 28, 2008. His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside and
personally offer the service. He will be assisted by twelve archbishops of
the Armenian Church from dioceses throughout the world.
Upon the Pontifical Order of His Holiness, several major committees were
created in the Spring of 2008, to undertake the preparations for the
blessing service, planning of events and for receiving the numerous guests
and pilgrims that will be visiting Armenia. Many high-ranking clergymen and
representatives from sister churches and Christian organizations have made
plans to be in attendance.
One of the committees has already completed their work of gathering the
ingredients for the Holy Muron. The main element which makes up the
foundation of the Holy Muron is pure, virgin olive oil, to which are
combined balsam and more than 40 kinds of fragrant incense, flowers, sweet
aromatic plants, roots and floral extracts, as well as different oil and
leaf extracts.
The ingredients have been transported to the Mother See from numerous
sources and countries around the world. The large supply of olive oil was
graciously donated to Holy Etchmiadzin by His Excellency Ioannis Korinthios,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hellenic
Republic (Greece) to the Republic of Armenia, as a gift from the Greek
people to the Armenians. Balsam and rose oil were brought to Holy
Etchmiadzin by Mr. Bedros Aslanian, from Sharjah in the United Arab
Emirates. Numerous oils and extracts have arrived from the Far East – the
majority from India, and were personally delivered by Very Rev. Father
Oshagan Gulgulian, Dean of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in
Calcutta and Pastor of the Armenians of India.
Clove oil, castor oil, lemon oil, lemon essence, bay oil and musk powder are
just a few of the rare ingredients transported from India during Father
Oshagan’s most recent visit. Father Oshagan stated that the ingredients
came from several locations, including Mumbai (Bombay), areas north of Delhi
and some from Kolkata (Calcutta). Due to international airline
restrictions, the ingredients had to be specially wrapped and boxed for
transport, as they could not be hand carried on the plane.
Father Oshagan remarked that during his journey, Indian and U.A.E. officials
were exceedingly helpful and respectful when they discovered the final
purpose of the ingredients he was transporting and the rarity of the
occasion. The final leg of his journey was aboard Armavia Airlines, and
upon learning of the purpose of his trip, the crew was excited and happy to
be a part of his mission. `I was very proud to be flying on an Armenian
plane, carrying the ingredients for the Holy Muron, and when Mt. Ararat and
finally, Holy Etchmiadzin came into view, it was a very emotional moment for
me’, said Father Oshagan.
On the evening of August 18, the cauldron which holds the Holy Muron was
filled with olive oil and placed on the bema in front of the main altar of
the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. For the next 40 days, it shall be
present for the prayers and special psalms which are read during morning and
evening services, as well as during the Divine Liturgies celebrated for the
next seven weeks.
Once all of the other ingredients are gathered, they will be crushed, ground
and mixed with white wine, rose water, and other floral essences by the
members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, with their offerings of
prayer and incense. The mixing is scheduled to take place on September 14,
15 and 16, following which the mixture cooks for three days on September 17,
18 and 19, all on the grounds of the Mother See.
Numerous dioceses outside of Armenia have made plans to bring groups of
pilgrims to witness and participate in this special event. Several public
events are planned during the days before and after the festive service.
The schedule of events follows. More information will be provided as
details become available.
Friday, 26 September
Concert and Program by the children of the `Armenian Church Youth Centers’
Yerevan Opera House
Saturday, 27 September
Consecration of new St John the Baptist and St Vartan Baptisteries
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Ecumenical Prayer Service
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan
Sunday, 28 September
Celebration of the Divine Liturgy
Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin
Blessing of the Holy Muron
Open Air Altar, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Monday, 29 September
Performance of `Anush’ opera
Yerevan Opera House
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
