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 28, 2008
Services Leading to the Blessing of the Holy Muron
On Tuesday, August 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the first of 40 prayer services,
which will culminate in the Blessing of the Holy Muron (Chrism) scheduled
for September 28 of this year. The prayer service, which begins a 40-day
process of psalms, hymns, scripture readings and prayers, took place
following Evening Vesper Services in the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin.
The cauldron, which contains the Holy Muron, was placed on the bema of the
Holy Altar the previous evening, filled with pure olive oil. Pure olive oil
is the first of the three primary substances that are mixed with the many
additional aromatic and floral ingredients, following the blessing of which
is transformed into the Muron. For the subsequent 39 days, the members of
the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, will follow the same procedure
according to the ancient Canons of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.
The 40-day countdown began with His Holiness ascending the Altar of Holy
Etchmiadzin and reading from the Gospel of St. Mark. The Catholicos then
read the main prayer dedicated to the blessing of Muron. His Holiness
stated in his remarks, that he wishes for all faithful of the Armenian
Church to raise their prayers to the Almighty during this period of prayer
and preparation for Sunday, September 28, which also happens to be the Feast
of the Holy Cross of Varag.
The faithful of the Armenian Church are invited to join in prayer during
these coming days as Holy Muron is prepared for use in Armenian Churches in
Armenia and throughout the Diaspora.
For further updates and schedule of events surrounding the festivities, the
faithful are encouraged to visit the website of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, , to follow the progress and learn new
facts surrounding the Blessing of the Holy Muron.
##
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG –
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.12/1640 – Release Date: 28/08/2008
6:58 PM