According to the Armenian Church calendar, “Gırgna Zadig” Sunday, the repetition of the Holy Resurrection Sunday, was celebrated on Sunday, April 24, and the commemoration of April 24 was held on the same day with the Holy Mass Offering (Surp Badarak).
Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey, Sahak II performed the Holy Mass Offering in Kumkapı Dışı Surp Harutyun Church. Father Şahen Uhanyan and Father Natan Arabyan were the assistants of His Beatitude the Patriarch in “Horan”. Church deacons and readers served the sacrament.
In the presence of the head of the Surp Harutyun Church Foundation, its administrators and believers, members of the Lusavorich Choir sang the hymns under the direction of their conductor, Hagop Mamigonyan.
The church’s chaplain, Father Natan Arabyan read the part of the Bible reading of the day during the Holy Liturgy. Before the distribution of “Hağortutyun”, Father Natan Arabian read the message sent by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Patriarchate of Armenians of Turkey for the commemoration of April 24.
Afterwards, Patriarch Sahak II read the April 24 commemoration message of the Patriarchate, first in Armenian and then in Turkish.
After the messages, His Beatitude the Patriarch, who gave a sermon in Turkish, briefly explained why the Armenian Church implement the “Gırgna Zadig” practice, the story of the construction of Kumkapı Dışı Surp Harutyun Church, and Kazaz Harutyun Amira Bezciyan’s contribution during this construction. He told the story of why the church was also called the “Fishermen’s Church”.
He congratulated the readers, deacons, chief and members of the Varian Choir of the Church, who still serve the church today, in the presence of Father Natan Arabian, the clergyman of the Church. He also congratulated the members of the board of directors of the foundation, who make efforts to keep the church alive, in the presence of their chairman, Arush Taş.
After the sermon, the Lord’s prayer was recited and then “Hagortutyun” was given.
After Surp Badarak, His Beatitude the Patriarch blessed “Madag” on the occasion of the Church’s name day and “madag” (table of love), then Raquiem (Hokehankisd) prayers were recited for “Kazaz Harutyun Amira Bezciyan”, one of the founders of the Church, Sevag Balıkçı, who was killed in the army 11 years ago and who passed away on the same day in the morning (April 24, 2022) by a sad coincidence, his father Garbis Balıkçı and for all those who sleep in the Lord.
At the end of the service, everyone went to the churchyard in a procession, and the ceremony ended with the blessing of His Beatitude the Patriarch and with the Lord’s prayer recited together.
