Under the auspices and blessings of the Patriarch of Türkiye Armenians, Sahak II, with the visit of Hatay Churches Reverend Father Avedis Tabaşyan, who is also the overseer of the Anatolian Armenian community, members of the Malatya and Elazığ communities celebrated the Verapokhum Surp Asdvadzadzni (Ascension of the Virgin Mary)
During these visits, Father Avedis was accompanied by senior reader Yusuf Tabaş, president of the Iskenderun Karasun Manuk Church Foundation. The first visit was to the Surp Harutyun Chapel in the Malatya Armenian cemetery on Saturday, August 19.
On the morning of Sunday, August 20, Father Avedis and his sibling arrived in Elazığ. Father Avedis, who offered the Holy Communion at the Surp Nışan Chapel in the city’s Armenian Cemetery, was served by Senior Reader Yusuf Tabaş in the Lord’s Supper. At the end of the Surp Badarak, (Holy Offering) the “grape blessing” ceremony was held here for the first time after years.
Then, Father Avedis and Senior Reader Yusuf Tabaş read Hokehankisd (Requiem) prayers for the Armenians of Elazığ who are sleeping in the Lord and for all those who are sleeping in the Lord. Later, Father Avedis chatted with the community members and conveyed the paternal greetings of Patriarch Sahak II to them.
