Order Awarding Ceremony Took Place at the Mother See
24.05.2025
On May 24, an award ceremony was held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the auspices of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
In recognition of church-building endeavors and contributions to the Armenian nation, His Holiness bestowed upon Mr. Arthur Granz the Order of Saint Gregory the Illuminator—the highest distinction of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church—for his generous benefaction which enabled the construction of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church in Minsk, the capital of the Republic of Belarus.
The ceremony commenced with reciting the Lord’s Prayer and a welcoming address delivered by the Honorable Fr. Archpriest Paruyr Avetisyan, Director of the Inter-Church Relations Office of the Chancellery of the Mother See.
His Eminence Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, reflected on the life and nation-serving devotion of the honoree.
Amid the chanting of the hymn 'The Descent of the Only-Begotten Son from the Father', the Patriarchal Encyclical—inscribed in the ornate script—was solemnly read by His Eminence Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Encyclical, in part, declares:
“With faith in God and a willing spirit, you undertook the construction of the first Armenian church in Belarus, imparting spiritual joy and gladness to the devout children of our nation.
…The grace descending from the Holy Altar of this newly erected sanctuary shall strengthen the spiritual and national life of the Armenian community in Belarus, rooted in God-given faith and love for the homeland and the Holy Church. Under the blessing of the Almighty, our children, steadfast in their identity and faithful to sacred traditions and enduring values of our people, will forge a bright and prosperous future in the blessed land of Belarus.”
Following the reading of the Encyclical, His Holiness adorned the benefactor with the highest insignia of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, once again imparting to him his patriarchal blessing and heartfelt benedictions.
On this solemn occasion, the honoree expressed his heartfelt gratitude, offering deep appreciation to His Holiness for the distinguished commendation. Speaking on behalf of the Armenian community in Belarus, he also conveyed thanks for the blessed pastoral visit and the consecration of the newly erected church.
Young musicians of the New Names of Armenia program presented musical performances. The solemn ceremony concluded with recitation of the Guardian prayer by His Holiness the Catholicos of All Armenians.
