In the process of normalization after two years of pandemic bans, this year, on Sunday, April 17, the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Surp Zadig) in Armenian Apostolic Churches was celebrated with great enthusiasm and participation with Holy Mass Offerings (Surp Badarak) in all churches with clergy.
Patriarch Sahak II offered the Holy Mass in Kumkapı Patriarchate Central Surp Asdvadzadzin (Virgin Mary) Cathedral. While the church’s clergyman, High Priest Yeghise Uçkunyan, was his assistant at the altar, the deacons and readers of the church served the sacrament.
The ceremony began with His Beatitude the Patriarch entering the church in a cortege. Hırant Moskofyan, head of the Kumkapı Surp Asdvadzadzin Church Foundation, and members of the Kogtan Choir under the direction of their conductor Hovsep Kuyumcuyan sang the hymns at the ceremony in which administrators and believers were present.
His Beatitude the Patriarch preached in Armenian and Turkish during the Mass.
After the sermons, the Lord’s prayer was recited, then the “Hagortutyun” was given. Afterwards, Raquiem (Hokehankisd) prayers were read at the grave of Kazaz Harutyun Amira Bezciyan, the founder of the church, in a cortege, and then all went to the Patriarchate building. Here, the ceremony came to an end with His Beatitude the Patriarch blessing the bread, salt and water, the Lord’s Prayer said together, and the wishes to meet again next year. His Beatitude the Patriarch distributed traditionally painted Easter eggs to those present.
In the afternoon, Patriarch Sahak II, together with the clergy of the Patriarchate, went to the Kazaz Harutyun Amira hall and accepted the congratulations of the church, foundation, institution and school administrators. Then he congragulated their Holy Resurrection.
