SURB ASTVATSATSIN CHURCH IN MERENIA VILLAGE SANCTIFIED
http://www.a1plus.am/en/social/2013/04/12/merenia
01:27 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL
On 7 April, 2013 under the leadership of the Head of the Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and with the participation of Vicar-General of
Javakhk Supreme Archimandrite Babken Salbiyan, priests serving in the
region Ter Tadeos, Ter Tatev and Ter Tigran Surb Astvatsatsin Church
in Merenia village of Javakhk was sanctified.
According to the Armenian Church order, on April 6, in the evening,
the rebuilt church was consecrated. 16 columns, baptistery and holy
images were consecrated as well. The walls of the church were anointed
with chrism.
Merenia village is located 15 kilometers from Akhalkalaki. Armenian
residents of the villages Salnadzor, Ozni, Marz, Bayburt moved from
Karin and settled here since the 18th century. Surb Astvatsatsin
Church was built in 1830's. In 1899 a stone structure with a wooden
roof collapsed after the earthquake. But the church was restored in
a few years.
On 7 April, in the morning Merenia village was crowded. The Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Hovhannes
Manoukian, Taron Shagoyan, Head of the Caucasus Department at the
RA Ministry of Diaspora, local government representatives, guests
and pilgrims, who came from different parts of Georgia and Armenia,
attended the sacred ritual. The residents of Merenia village welcomed
the Head of the Diocese with bread and salt.
"Drnbatsek (Opening of the Doors) symbolizes the opening of the Gates
of the Heavenly Kingdom. Today this church after the consecration
becomes the house of God, house of prayer. After Drnbatsek and
consecration the God's blessing descends upon this church", - the
Head of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen
Mirzakhanyan addressed the audience of believers gathered in front
of the Church.
Masis Amirkhanyan, Ararat Ghushchyan, Ararat Avakyan, Aharon Avakyan,
Hamlet Harutyunyan and Zaven Pochikyan, who in their youth dreamed
about seeing the temple of ancestors operating and restored, made
donations to rebuilt Surb Astvatsatsin Church and the surrounding area.
His Eminence praised the attitude of pious benefactors, and handed
them letters of blessing and Holy Bibles.
In honor of the feast a concert was held in front of the church with
the participation of Mavr Lazarian and his friends.
At the end of the consecration of Surb Astvatsatsin Church blessing
of the traditional sacrifice (Armenian "matagh") took place.
http://www.a1plus.am/en/social/2013/04/12/merenia
01:27 PM | TODAY | SOCIAL
On 7 April, 2013 under the leadership of the Head of the Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop
Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and with the participation of Vicar-General of
Javakhk Supreme Archimandrite Babken Salbiyan, priests serving in the
region Ter Tadeos, Ter Tatev and Ter Tigran Surb Astvatsatsin Church
in Merenia village of Javakhk was sanctified.
According to the Armenian Church order, on April 6, in the evening,
the rebuilt church was consecrated. 16 columns, baptistery and holy
images were consecrated as well. The walls of the church were anointed
with chrism.
Merenia village is located 15 kilometers from Akhalkalaki. Armenian
residents of the villages Salnadzor, Ozni, Marz, Bayburt moved from
Karin and settled here since the 18th century. Surb Astvatsatsin
Church was built in 1830's. In 1899 a stone structure with a wooden
roof collapsed after the earthquake. But the church was restored in
a few years.
On 7 April, in the morning Merenia village was crowded. The Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Hovhannes
Manoukian, Taron Shagoyan, Head of the Caucasus Department at the
RA Ministry of Diaspora, local government representatives, guests
and pilgrims, who came from different parts of Georgia and Armenia,
attended the sacred ritual. The residents of Merenia village welcomed
the Head of the Diocese with bread and salt.
"Drnbatsek (Opening of the Doors) symbolizes the opening of the Gates
of the Heavenly Kingdom. Today this church after the consecration
becomes the house of God, house of prayer. After Drnbatsek and
consecration the God's blessing descends upon this church", - the
Head of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen
Mirzakhanyan addressed the audience of believers gathered in front
of the Church.
Masis Amirkhanyan, Ararat Ghushchyan, Ararat Avakyan, Aharon Avakyan,
Hamlet Harutyunyan and Zaven Pochikyan, who in their youth dreamed
about seeing the temple of ancestors operating and restored, made
donations to rebuilt Surb Astvatsatsin Church and the surrounding area.
His Eminence praised the attitude of pious benefactors, and handed
them letters of blessing and Holy Bibles.
In honor of the feast a concert was held in front of the church with
the participation of Mavr Lazarian and his friends.
At the end of the consecration of Surb Astvatsatsin Church blessing
of the traditional sacrifice (Armenian "matagh") took place.