The Armenian Apostolic Church in Turkey celebrated The Descent of the Holy Spirit “Hokekalust” on Sunday, May 31st, just as the World Armenian Apostolic Churches.
Due to the coronavirus precautions, the Sacred Presentation was held in the Central Church of the Patriarchate of the Virgin Mary of Kumkapı, during the week and closed to the public.
Tatul Anuşyan, the Spiritual Board President and the High Priest, held the Holy Presentation for the Pentecost celebration and his helpers at the altar were Father Şirvan Mürzyan, Father Zakar Koparyan and Father Şahen Uhanyan. In the mass, some Priests, Fathers, senior readers and readers from the patriarchate were also present.
This mass was broadcasted on the Facebook page of the Turkish Armenian Patriarchate on Sunday, May 31st. Then His Beatitude Patriarch Sahak II preached live in Armenian and Turkish about the “Hokekalust” celebration.
Patriarch Sahak II briefly explained what the coming of the Holy Spirit means and said:
“Let’s present ourselves to the Divine power of the Holy Spirit and transform into the living shrines of God. Humanity has always searched for a divine power since its creation. For this reason, we see many idols that were worshipped in human history.
But the day when Abraham came forward, the worship of the one, real and living God began. Thanks to the advent of the Holy Spirit, we have had the opportunity to become not only those who worship God, but also those who give Him a place within us. So let’s not look for God outside and far away, because God is within us and He is waiting for us to truly know Him with our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
