Masses were held in Istanbul Armenian Catholic Churches on the occasion of the Feast of Finding the Bones of Surp Krikor the Illuminator.
At the ceremony held in Ortaköy Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Church, presided over by Archbishop Levon Zekiyan; High Priest Vartan Kazancıyan, Der Haygaram Çekiç, Chief Deacon Hagop Minasyan, Gisasargavak Jan Acemoğlu and readers also took part.
During the ceremony, Taksim Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Choir sang chants under the direction of Chief Zaven Agay. The ceremony, which was closed to the congregation due to the pandemic, was shared live on the social media pages of the Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Church.
Saint Krikor the Illuminator
The relics of Surp Krikor the Illuminator (Holy Bone fragments) are of great importance for all Christian churches, as Christianity spread among the Armenians. Every year, commemoration rites are held in Armenian Churches due to the presence of St. Krikor’s relics.
St. Krikor Lusavoriç, whose name means “the illuminator”, was born in 257 in Echmiadzin, Armenia. Surp Krikor the Illuminator, who lived in a time when idolatry was dominant, came out of the deep blind well 13 years later, safe and sound, after the tortures he endured for the sake of his faith. After the miracle that took place, the Armenian King Dırtad got rid of the relentless disease he was caught and found healing with the prayer of Surp Krikor the Illuminator. King Drtad, who was healed and enlightened by the preaching of the Gospel, and all the courtiers were baptized. With the cooperation of Surp Krikor Illuminator and King Drtad, the Kingdom of Armenia became the first kingdom to declare Christianity as the official religion in 301.
