Dear Friends,

Pontifical Prayer Celebrated on the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin

Deacon: Again in peace let us beseech the Lord, receive, save and have mercy.

Priest: Blessing and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn: Hrashapar – Marvelous and glorious God, who are always benevolent and provident, who did originate by your foreknowledge the salvation of the people of Armenia. You have granted us an enlightener from the sinful Parthian race; therefore, O Savior, through his (St. Gregory’s) intercession save us now and at the time of your awesome second coming.

Alleluia, alleluia, You shall arise and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favor her is now at hand. (Psalm 102:13)

A Reading from the Letter of the Apostle Paul
to the Hebrews (13:17, 20:21)

Obey your leaders and submit to them for they are keeping watch over your souls as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Now may the God of peace who brought again form the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia, alleluia, the Lord has vowed, and will not repent. You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedech. And the Lord is at your right hand. (Psalm 104:4)

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John (10:11-16)

Our Lord Jesus Christ says: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

Priest: Through the prayers and intercession of our Holy Father Gregory the Enlightener and of all the saints grant, Lord, peace to all the world.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: To the God-established and indestructible great See (of Holy Etchmiadzin) grant, Lord, unshaken stability.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: And to Orthodox Churches grant, Lord, stability.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: To our great Patriarch, Lord KAREKIN, Catholicos of All Armenians, grant, Lord, peace and safety at all times.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: And to us, who are assembled here, to each one according to his rank and order, grant, Lord, love and unity.

Choir: Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer for Holy Etchmiadzin

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through the prayers and intercession of your witness who has suffered much, our father Saint Gregory the Enlightener, you have descended from heaven to the plain of Ararat together with myriads of luminous hosts, to visit your little flock, the Armenian people, and to show your loving kindness and great mercy. You struck the depths of Hades and chased the infernal legions whereupon the illustrious and marvelous edifice of our Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was built, and you made her the inexhaustible storehouse of your divine graces, to be the mother, instructor and perfecter of all Armenian churches; and now, keep her immaculate, firm and brilliant, for the splendor of our churches and their children until the end of the world; by whom always your all-Holy name is glorified, Amen.
      

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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
May 25, 2008