Feast of Saint Hripsime and Her Companions Celebrated in the Armenian Church
23.05.2016
On May 23, the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church commemorated the sacred feast dedicated to the everlasting memory of the martyrs St. Hripsime and her companions.
On the occasion of the feast, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; removed the sacred relics of the nun from the museum of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
An ecclesiastical procession, with members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, children from the Youth Centers, and the faithful; walked to the Monastery of Saint Hripsime.
Led by the drum band of the AGBU Armenian Church Youth Centers, the relic of the Holy Right Hand was carried by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; who blessed the crowds along the procession. In front of the St. Gregory the Illuminator arch, His Holiness conveyed the Holy Relic to His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grant Sacristan of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The procession traveled through the streets of Vagharshapat, and was met in front of the St. Hripsime Monastery by His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranyan, Dean of the Monasteries of the Mother See.
On the occasion of the feast, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Matteos Poghosyan, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Hripsime.
Father Matteos delivered a sermon about the significance and mystery of the feast and noted in part, “The unbending will of St. Hripsime and her companions led them to the bright crown of the kingdom of heaven, evidence of which is this mighty temple of our Lord: which for more than one and a half millennium has been the sacred pilgrimage of the Armenian nation. And not only our people, but also Christian nations of the world come here to raise their prayers to God, asking for the intercession of St. Hripsime and her companions”.
Father Matteos also noted that the martyrdom of St. Hripsime and her companion nuns is relevant today, as the Christians were persecuted, tortured and martyred for their faith. He confirmed that today's world also creates many challenges, difficulties and trials for Christians.
Father Matteos invited the pilgrims to offer a prayer for the intercession of St. Hripsime and her companion nuns, so that the Lord grants strength and ability to the Armenian people during these difficult days, as over the centuries and also today He keeps the vibrant Christian faith firm; to confront all the trials of the enemy and keep the borders steadfast and keep the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church bright.
After the Divine Liturgy, the faithful had an opportunity to kiss and be blessed by the relics of the nun. The service was offered by His Grace Bishop Artak Tigranyan.
The festive service was attended by the Brotherhood of Mother See and pilgrims led by spiritual pastors that had traveled from different dioceses.
