SURB GRIGOR LUSAVORICH CHURCH IN NOVOKUZNETSK CONSECRATED

Noyan Tapan

Se p 2, 2008

NOVOKUZNETSK, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian
Surb Grigor Lusavorich Church in the Russian city of Novokuznetsk
was consecrated on August 24.

According to the press service of the Armenian diocese of Nor
Nakhijevan and Russia, on that historical day the primate of Armenian
diocese of Nor Nakhijevan and Russia Bishop Yezras Nersisian travelled
from Moscow to Novokuznetsk (Kemerovo region) and with the help of
spiritual fathers of Moscow, Krasnoyarsk and Barnaul priests Ter
Tadevos, Ter Shahan and Ter Mashtots consecrated the five crosses on
the church dome, after which a holy liturgy was celebrated and the
church itself was consecrated.

Representatives of the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Churches and
the local Muslim community attended the holy ceremony. Members of
the regional and city authorities, the heads of parish communities of
the neighboring cities of Barnaul and Krasnoyarsk, numerous Armenian
pilgrims and believers were present.

Bishop Yerzas Nersisian addressed those present with words of blessing,
urging them to keep this church with their constant prayers. He also
expressed gratitude to the benefactor of the church, the chairman of
the Parish Council Sarik Abrahamian, on whose initiative the beautiful
church was constructed.

To recap, by official data, about 12 thousand Armenians live in this
region of Russia.