On April 4, the 183rd Anniversary of the Birth of Catholicos of All Armenians Mkrtich I (Khrimian Hayrik) of blessed memory was commemorated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. In the courtyard of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, before the tomb of the Catholicos, a solemn Repose of Souls Service was conducted led by His Grace Bishop Paren Avetikian. Participating in the service were members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, members of the Vaspourakan Compatriotic Union, and hundreds of faithful.
Following the service, the members of the Vaspourakan Union were received by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness welcomed the members of the group, noting that it is a pleasure for him to receive them every year on this day, as the birthday of Khrimian Hayrik has become the traditional date for their pilgrimage to the Mother See of the Armenian Church. His Holiness reflected upon the nationally dedicated and church-building work of the great Pontiff, and encouraged the members of the union to transfer their love, devotion and faithfulness towards the Armenian Church to their succeeding generations.
Mkrtich I of Van reigned as Catholicos of All Armenians from 1892 to 1907. Known widely as “Khrimian Hayrik”, the people gave him this endearing name out of gratitude and love. During his lifetime of service to the Armenian Church and Nation, he served as Primate in many dioceses throughout the world, and as Patriarch of Constantinople from 1869 to 1873. In 1878, he represented the Armenian people in the Congress of Berlin. He was elected Catholicos of All Armenians in 1892. On the grounds of the Mother See are three buildings built during his tenure, the most notable of which, the “Khrimian Building” is scheduled for renovation to be restored to its original use as a museum.
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