Christmas Eve Candlelight Divine Liturgy at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
06.01.2025
On January 5th, the joyous Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the solemn Christmas Eve Candlelight Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. It was presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The clergy of the Mother See, the President of Artsakh, Mr. Samvel Shahramanyan, state officials of the Republic of Artsakh, and Armenian pilgrims were in attendance.
The celebrant of the Divine Liturgy was His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh.
Before the Divine Liturgy, the Evening Service was conducted, followed by reading various passages from the Holy Scriptures. Thereafter, four deacons of the Mother See solemnly proclaimed the prophecy of Daniel.
During his homily, Bishop Vrtanes expounded on the sacred mystery of the Nativity of Christ, stating: "As the birth of every new life is destined to be the fruit of love, so is the birth of the Son of God the supreme and unconditional manifestation of God’s boundless love for mankind. With His Nativity, Christ inaugurated the work of mankind’s salvation, which found its fulfillment in the sacred mystery of His Crucifixion and Glorious Resurrection.
The Almighty God chose the path of Incarnation, descending into the world to remind us of our heavenly calling. He showed us by His life the way we must walk to union with Him.”
Reflecting upon the challenges facing the Homeland, the trials of security, and the loss of Artsakh, His Grace continued: "Kneeling before the manger of the Holy Nativity, we lift our prayers for the steadfastness of our nation and statehood, for our soldiers standing guard at the borders, for the repose of the souls of our martyred heroes, and for the swift return of our missing and captive brethren.”
Speaking on the peace bestowed upon the world through the birth of the Infant Christ, the Bishop emphasized: "The divine nature, eternally united with humanity, restored to man the possibility of living according to the law of God’s love, acting in faith, and looking toward the future with hope. The peace of Christ is the embodied manifestation of love—within the life of the nation, in society, and the family.”
After the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop prayed to the Lord encouraging the faithful to commemorate Christmas not as merely a beautiful Gospel narrative but as a spiritual rebirth within the heart and soul of every believer.
"Let each ask ourselves: Have I given birth to works of love within my heart? Have I prepared a dwelling for faith within my soul? Do the lamps of hope burn brightly within my mind? Only with an affirmative answer shall the Nativity of the Infant Christ illumine our lives and truly become for us the Holy Christmas.”
After the Liturgy, during the solemn Rite of the Lighting of the Christmas Candle, the Catholicos of All Armenians ascended the High Altar and kindled the candle symbolizing Christ, distributing its life-giving light to the faithful.
Thereafter, the clergy of the Mother See gathered at the Patriarchal Residence, where, under the presidency of His Holiness, the first Home Blessing Service of the New Year was conducted.
