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Re-Consecration of Historic Church of Karmravor

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  • Re-Consecration of Historic Church of Karmravor

    PRESS RELEASE
    Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
    Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
    Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
    Tel: (374 1) 517 163
    Fax: (374 1) 517 301
    E-Mail: [email protected]
    October 14, 2004

    Re-Consecration of Historic Church of Karmravor

    On September 12, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the
    faithful of the Diocese of Aragatsotn gathered in the city of Ashtarak
    in central Armenia, to participate in a joyous and memorable event.
    Through the generosity of Armenian benefactors from the United States,
    Mr. and Mrs. Ohannes Meguerian of Pennsylvania, the historic Church
    of Surb Astvatsatsin (Saint Mary Mother of God) was re-consecrated.
    One of the masterpieces of early VII century Armenian architecture,
    the church (commonly known as "Karmravor") had been in dire need
    of renovation for most of the twentieth century due to neglect and
    non-use.

    Prior to the celebration of Divine Liturgy, the celebrant, His Grace
    Bishop Paren Avedikian, Director of Administrative-Organizational
    Affairs of the Mother See, offered the consecration service in
    the presence of the benefactor, members of his family and hundreds
    of faithful. Assisting Bishop Paren was Rev. Fr. Torgom Tonikian,
    the Representative of the Catholicos of All Armenians for the Diocese
    of Aragatsotn.

    Following the consecration service, Bishop Paren celebrated Divine
    Liturgy and afterwards congratulated the faithful in attendance on
    this memorable occasion. "This is an unforgettable day for all of us,
    as one more house of prayer is being opened in Armenia. It is our
    prayer to God that this magnificent church should always be a place
    where God and man will meet, where we can share our pains, concerns
    and joy with our Lord, where we can pray to our Savior and receive His
    Divine Grace through Holy Communion," noted His Grace in his sermon.

    Father Torgom read the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin
    II granted to the benefactor on this occasion. The Pontiff of All
    Armenians awarded Mr. Meguerian with the "St. Nerses the Graceful"
    Medal of the Armenian Church in recognition for his dedication to
    the Mother Church and the Republic of Armenia.

    The Pontifical Encyclical states in part, "Your significant
    contribution and spirit of participating in the great work of building
    churches, which received new vitality in the new millennium, and as
    a result of which you sponsored the renovation and restoration of the
    Church of St. Mary Mother of God, is the testimony of your patriotism,
    boundless filial love, devotion and loyalty to the Armenian Church and
    the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.We confirm with joy that although
    living far from Armenia, you have the Homeland in your heart and you
    support your Motherland."

    High-ranking clergymen, the Regional Governor of the Aragatsotn Region,
    many guests from the United States and hundreds of faithful attended
    the service and Divine Liturgy.

    In celebration of this significant event in the life of the faithful
    of Aragatsotn, His Holiness Karekin II presided during a reception
    hosted at the Diocesan Headquarters Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots in
    Oshakan later that same evening.

    ##
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