Armenian Churches celebrate Hampartsum (Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ) on Thursday, May 13. Performed by the Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey, Kadaseli Sahak II, the Holy Offering was broadcast live on the Patriarchate’s Facebook page.
Father Hovagim Serovpyan, Senior Father Krikor Damadyan, Senior Father Goryun Fenerjian, Father Shahen Uhanyan, Father Natan Arabian, Father Nerses Ayvazyan and the spiritual trainees of the Patriarchate served the Lord’s Supper in the Holy Liturgy performed by Patriarch Sahak II. The hymns were sung by the members of the Patriarchate Armaş Choir under the direction of Diyakos Edvin Galiboğlu. High Priest Zakeos Ohanyan, Priest Harutyun Damadyan, Priest Shnork Donikyan, Father Zohrab Civanyan and Father Shirvan Murzyan were also present at the ceremony.
Patriarch Sahak II spoke about the feast of the Lord Jesus Christ’s ascension in his Armenian and Turkish sermons.
In his Turkish sermon, he spoke briefly as follows;
“The greatest expectation of our faith, that is, the second coming of Christ, is something formed by his first ascension. We are waiting for the return of the Messiah… The predictions of the first coming of the Messiah began 2000 years ago. It started with Abraham. Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of monotheistic religions. At a time when idolatry was increasing, he was chosen as a new light, a new leaven, by God. Christ is closer than ever before. His return is nearer than ever, no one knows the days and hours, but his signs are set in the Bible and we see them. Those signs are telling us to be sober and vigilant. This ascension of Jesus Christ necessarily reminds us of His second coming, and we celebrate both. One is an event that happened and the other is an event to happen in the future, but every Christian who reads his Bible knows that just as Jesus Christ went to heaven is real, so is his return. In God’s eyes, this is a finished event. Jesus Christ has come a second time in God’s plans, and no power will be able to prevent it. Blessed are those who have this faith, may the Lord bless you. May the blessings of Christ’s ascension rain down upon you, and may Christ send his peace and tranquility to our world. Amen.”
After the Holy Bread (Communion) distribution, “Hayrabedagan Mağtank” prayers were read for the preservation and continuity of the unity of the Church. Afterwards, “Hokehankist” (Ayin-i Ruhani) prayers were read for Church fathers, benefactors, rulers and all those who sleep in the Lord. The ceremony ended with His Beatitude the Patriarch leaving the church in a cortege, accompanied by hymns.
