Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On May 17, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, departed for the Republic of Belarus at the invitation of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan, on the occasion of the consecration of the newly built Armenian church in the capital, Minsk.

Accompanying His Holiness were senior clergy and officials of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, including: His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department; His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See; Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Garegin Hambardzumyan, Director of Inter-Church Relations; Rev. Fr. Hieromonk Yesayi Grigoryan, Bearer of the Patriarchal Staff; Rev. Fr. Hieromonk Grigor Minasyan, Legate of the Supreme Patriarch; Honorable Fr. Archpriest Vahram Melikyan, Director of the Catholicosal Office; and Honorable Fr. Komitas Ghevondyan, Sacristan of the Mother See.

At Minsk International Airport, His Holiness was warmly welcomed by Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan; Mr. Alexander Rumak, Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus; Mr. Aramais Kamalov, Chairman of the Diocesan Council; Honorable Fr. Sargis Choburyan, Pastor of the Armenian community in Belarus; local clergy and representatives of the Armenian faithful.

During the solemn welcoming ceremony, Armenian and Belarusian youth in traditional attire presented the symbolic offering of bread and salt to His Holiness.

Later that day, His Holiness, accompanied by representatives of the church and the state, visited Victory Square in Minsk, where, after laying a wreath, Supreme Patriarch offered a prayer before the monument in remembrance of the souls of those who perished during the Great Patriotic War, invoking eternal rest and divine peace upon them.

On May 18, the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross, the Armenian Supreme Patriarch, accompanied by the delegation and Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, proceeded to the newly constructed church.

Under the chant of the hymn Hrashapar ("Most Glorious"), His Holiness entered the church in a solemn procession, offering his patriarchal blessing to the faithful who had gathered from Armenian communities throughout Belarus for this momentous occasion. Thus commenced the rite of consecration of the first Armenian church ever built in the Republic of Belarus.

During the sacred liturgy, accompanied by psalms and hymns, the Holy Altar, pillars, and baptismal font were solemnly washed with water and wine. 

Then, under the resounding chant of Hrashapar, the Holy Muron (Chrism) was brought to the sanctuary, with which the Catholicos anointed the Holy Altar. Archbishops Ezras and Nathan consecrated the pillars dedicated to the Four Evangelists, while Archbishop Arshak performed the anointing of the baptismal font.

After the ceremony,  His Holiness named the new church in honor of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the first Patriarch of the Armenian Church. 

The ceremony concluded with the Supreme Patriarch’s prayer Pahpanich ("Guardian"), after which he delivered his paternal exhortation and bestowed his blessing upon the Armenian faithful of Belarus.

His Holiness expressed gratitude to God for the grace-filled occasion of the consecration of the first Armenian church in Belarus, extending his love and paternal blessings to all those present. 

In his address, the Supreme Patriarch expressed special gratitude to the authorities of the Republic of Belarus, whose goodwill helped the construction of this sacred edifice—a beacon destined to revitalize the spiritual and national life of the Armenian community.

“It is a particular joy for the Patriarch to affirm that the relationship between our peoples is grounded in shared Christian values, in the traditional understanding of friendship, homeland, and family, as well as in the cherished memory of common struggles and heroic deeds," stated the Catholicos of All Armenians, expressing hope that the good name and reputation of the Armenians residing in Belarus, along with their fruitful activity in various fields, will further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two peoples and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation.

His Holiness also reflected on the spiritual meaning of the Feast and the significance of the Lord’s Cross. “This wondrous and magnificent event is the glorification and exaltation of the Holy Cross, sanctified by the blood of Christ. For Christians, the Cross symbolizes victory—a sign of the triumph of life over death. It is our spiritual weapon against evil. The Cross is a sacred commitment to act courageously in the name of truth, freedom, and justice. It is also the sign of the love of God, through which the heavenly gift of the Resurrection is bestowed upon humankind,” the Supreme Patriarch said, underscoring that in every circumstance of life, the Cross is the way to remain with Christ, to bear witness to Him, and to live according to His commandments.

Turning to the present tribulations of the Armenian people in the wake of the occupation of Artsakh, His Holiness affirmed that, throughout the centuries, the Armenian nation has endured many trials with unshakable faith in the life-giving power of the Cross.

“Our people have been persecuted, dispossessed, subjected to genocide, and forcibly exiled from their ancestral homeland. Yet, with the heartfelt invocation, ‘Let Thy Cross be our refuge, O Lord Jesus,’ and steadfast faith in the Lord, they have been granted the grace to endure, to rise anew, and—with the steadfast support of friendly nations—to shape a new life.”

“Today,” he added, “our homeland and people continue to face great trials. Artsakh is occupied and depopulated, Armenia’s borders are insecure, and Armenian prisoners of war and the leadership of Artsakh taken hostage remain unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan. The centuries-old spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh faces threats of destruction. We know that these painful realities rest heavily upon your hearts. Yet we hold fast to the hope that justice will be restored to our people, and with unwavering faith in Christ, we shall overcome every hardship and tribulation.

In its spiritual mission, this newly consecrated church is called to be a radiant voice of love and peace, standing against enmity, hostility, and hatred, and proclaiming the message of harmonious coexistence and cooperation.”

“This holy temple,” said the Catholicos, “is destined to strengthen your faith in God, renew the spirit of hope, and inspire a vision of a luminous future.”

His Holiness urged the Armenian community of Belarus to sanctify this holy place through reverence, godliness, and patriotic devotion, making it a bastion of unity for Armenians in Belarus, a guardian of their identity, and a sanctuary for preserving their spiritual and national heritage.

On this joyful occasion, the Catholicos extended his blessing and appreciation to Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan for his years of steadfast service in forming the church community in Belarus, as well as to the newly appointed pastor of the community, Rev. Fr. Sargis Choburyan, to whom he wished a fruitful ministry among the Armenians of Belarus.

His Holiness also expressed paternal affection, gratitude, and blessing to the benefactors, particularly to Mr. Arthur and Ms. Maren Grants, founding donors of the church; to Mr. Vadim Avanesyan, benefactor of the clergy house and Armenian cultural center; and to all who supported this God-pleasing endeavor.

In conclusion, the Patriarch implored the Almighty, through the intercession of St. Gregory the Illuminator, that the prayers offered in the newly consecrated church may be a wellspring of radiant faith, divine grace, and heavenly blessings for all Armenian faithful and their families.

At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness gifted an icon of the Crucifixion to the newly consecrated sanctuary. He bestowed the Order of St. Nerses the Graceful (Nerses Shnorhali), the highest honor of the Armenian Apostolic Church, upon benefactors Mr. Maren Grants and Mr. Vadim Avanesyan, and presented a panagia to Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan.

Following the consecration, the Divine Liturgy took place in the new church, the celebrant was the Primate of the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, Ezras Nersisyan.

Present at the consecration were Mr. Alexander Rumak, Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of Belarus; Metropolitan Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl; representatives of the government, sister Churches, and religious communities; national benefactors; members of the diocesan council; and pilgrims from Armenia and other countries.

After the Divine Liturgy, the customary blessing of the matagh (traditional sacrificial offering) took place, and the celebration continued with vibrant Armenian folk dances.

A formal reception was held later that day in honor of the historic consecration, during which Patriarchal Letters of Appreciation were presented to the Armenian faithful who had contributed to the construction of the church.