A special service was held in the Armenian Catholic Community of Istanbul on the occasion of Surp Krikor Illuminator’s Removal from Khor Virab.
The ceremony was presided over by Hayr Vartan Kazancıyan, the high priest of the Taksim Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Armenian Catholic Church; High Priest Hagopos Chopuryan, Der Haygaram Çekiç, Gisasargavak Jan Acemoğlu, and readers accompanied him.
During the special service, 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
St. Krikor the Illuminator, whose name means “Illuminating”, was born in 257 in the city of Etchmiadin, Armenia. Surp Krikor Lusavoriç, 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, with the prayer of Surp Krikor Lusavoriç, the Armenian King Dırtad got rid of the relentless disease he was caught and found healing. King Drtad, who was healed and enlightened by the preaching of the Gospel, and all the courtiers were baptized. The church, which continued to exist in secret under the orders of Surp Krikor Lusavoriç and King Dırtad, was declared as the official religion by the state. Thus, the first kingdom that officially accepted Christianity in 301 was the Armenian kingdom.
Because of the spread of Christianity among the Armenians, the feasts of Surp Krikor the Illuminator are of great importance for the Christian churches and special rites are held in the Armenian Churches every year because of his feast.
