Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On the evening of April 19, Holy Saturday, the Divine and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Only Begotten on the occasion of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, under the auspices of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The celebrant of the Liturgy was His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Before the Divine Liturgy, the Third Hour of the Daytime Service took place, followed by readings from Holy Scripture: deacons from the monastic clergy of the Mother See read from the Prophecy of Daniel. The sacred ceremony drew the presence of benefactors of the Mother See, political and public figures, and a multitude of faithful pilgrims from across Armenia.

In his sermon, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan reflected on the Resurrection mystery, emphasizing that even after two thousand years, the Glorious Resurrection of the Lord continues to captivate human souls and inspire Christians' hope and faith that never fade.

Speaking on the sorrowful events of the final days of the earthly life of Jesus, he noted in particular: "It seemed that with the death of Jesus, yet another chapter of human history had come to an end. It seemed that what always happens had happened once more: death had claimed another victim."

Thus, the story of Christ and Christianity would have ended in obscurity and insignificance —had death triumphed over life and had the tomb remained sealed. It would have ended—had the angelic voice not pierced the darkness to proclaim 'Christ has risen from the dead'.

Through the miracle of the Resurrection, Jesus fully revealed His divinity. In His Resurrection, His suffering, torment, crucifixion, death, and burial were all given profound meaning.

By the Resurrection of Christ, death ceased to be an insurmountable barrier to life, becoming a door opening toward eternity. And thus, Christ says: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25-26).

Yet the cosmic scope of the Resurrection of Christ in no way diminishes or negates the value of earthly life - it elevates it, transforming it into a gateway to eternity. 

Without the Resurrection, earthly life becomes an arena where the prize is perishable matter, fading beauty, weakening strength, and waning power. 

Without the Resurrection, the lines between sin and virtue, good and evil, and light and darkness disappear. 

There are no boundaries, signposts, goals, means—and ultimately, no life without the Resurrection - only a headlong, aimless rush toward the grave.

Such is how the denial of the Resurrection destroys life, leading humanity toward self-deification and the absolutization of personal desires and rights. 

Yet with the Resurrection, every stage of life—from birth to death—becomes a link in the chain of salvation, leading toward eternity. In this light, our earthly deeds echo in the eternal; our efforts here become treasures in heaven. And once again, the words of the Holy Apostle ring true: ‘And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile’ (1 Corinthians 15:17).”

Then, turning to the faithful, the celebrant added that the mystery of the Holy Resurrection must become life and salvation for us even today:

"I have no words to convince you of the truth of the Resurrection. I have no words to assure you of the reality of eternal life. But this, I believe with conviction: 

Life cannot be limited to a meaningless and tragic death.

Life cannot end in tears and sorrow, and the grave cannot be the fullness or essence of life.

And I believe that Jesus is risen—and by this alone, the Resurrection of Jesus reveals Him as God. God cannot die. If God is dead, then not only is our preaching futile and our faith empty, but our entire life is meaningless, and our journey is without purpose. But since our life is not without purpose, the Resurrection of Jesus is true, and the reality of God being present in our lives is undeniable. And finally, it is easier to believe that God has risen than to believe that God remains dead."

With these words, the Archbishop urged the faithful to transform trials into strength of will, to cast off doubt and disbelief, to rise after every fall, to remain warriors of the Resurrection even after sin, and never to be emptied of hope in the face of despair, and to fight for righteousness, for life and dignity, for faith and identity, for progress and perfection.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Catholicos of All Armenians ascended the High Altar and lit the candle symbolizing Jesus Christ from the sanctuary lamp, distributing its life-giving light to the faithful.

Following the sacred service, the clergy of the Mother See gathered at the Patriarchal Residence, where, under the presidency of the Supreme Patriarch, the Home Blessing service of the Holy Resurrection was conducted.