Surp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church in Samatya which has been closed to worship because of the renovations was reopened with a ceremony of consecration on 10 September, presided by Patriarcal locum tenens Bishop Sahak Mashalyan.
After the completion of the maintenance and repair work the consecration ceremony took place with the participation of hundreds of believers, as well as the neighbors in Samatya.
Bishop Mashalyan knocked the church door with the the key in his hand and entered the church with the clergy, while the chorus was performing “Patz mez der” (Open your grace door, o Lord). The community of faithful who was waiting for this moment for long time, filled the church.
When the clergy went on the altar for praying, the crosses and the altars of the side chapels were cleaned by two priests.
Later, Bishop Mashalyan took the holy oil (Myron) brought with prayers and re-blessed the main altar and then the altars of the side chapels with Myron and Baptism prayers, so that the church has been ready for worship again.
In his sermon Bishop Mashalyan stated that God does not need churches and holy places, but the people need places of worship; because even the individual prayers are necessary, it is very important praying God in community.
He thanked the church administration and those who contributed to the church.
Following the prayers in the church, the clergy and community went to the church garden accompanied by hymns in a cortege where prayers ended and all the clergy were taken collective photos.
In the ritual presided by Bishop Sahak Mashalian, Father Tatul Anusyan, Father Zadik Babikyan, Father Harutyun Damatyan, Father Shinork Donikyan, Arch Priests Kirkor Damatyan, Fr. Antreas Hagopyan, Fr. Kevork Çınaryan, Reverend Zaven Bıçakçı, Rev. Zakhar Koparyan, Rev. Şirvan Mürzyan, Rev. Bedros Buldukoglu, Samatya church deacons and chorists were also present.
After the renovation, the first eucharistic celebration of Samatya Surp Kevork Church will take place on Sunday, September 15th under the auspices of Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, the Patriarcal Locum Tenens.
