Delegation from the Mother See Attended the Election Ceremony of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople

On January 11, under the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the delegation from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin participated in the enthronement ceremony of the newly elected Patriarch of Armenian Church in Constantinople, His Eminence Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, and on January 12, the first Holy Eucharist was celebrated.

During the enthronement ceremony, Father Yeghnik Petrosyan, a member of the Mother See, read the congratulatory letter addressed to the new Patriarch from the Catholicos of All Armenians, and then handed over a ceremonial gift from the Pontiff.

“Dear Holy Patriarch,

We, from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, convey our Apostolic blessing to you, the esteemed servant of our Holy Apostolic Church. For almost three decades, as a devoted cleric, you have bore witness to Christ through your dedicated service and preached the life-giving Word of the Lord, providing spiritual nourishment to our faithful people and illuminating the realm of our Holy Apostolic Church through fruitful service.

During your service, you have undertaken numerous responsibilities within the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Jerusalem, and at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, performing administrative, pastoral, and educational activities. During your tenure at the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary of the Mother See, we have witnessed the positive outcomes of your dedicated service, along with the exceptional love and respect from our students and faithful who regard you as an example through your spiritual character, diligence, ecclesiastical dedication, and patriotism.

It is gratifying for us that, by the will of God and the election of our children of the Constantinople Armenian Patriarchate, you have assumed the responsible position of Patriarch, believing in your abilities, dedication, and commitment. We are confident that you will strive to restore the disrupted activities of the Patriarchate during these challenging times, bringing a new spirit of renewal and revival to the Armenian community in Istanbul.

Dear Holy One, highly valuing your contributions and devoted service over the years within our Holy Apostolic Church, we hereby confer upon you the Patriarchal Condac. We sincerely pray that the Almighty God keeps and protects you with His Holy Hand, supports you in your elevated and responsible calling, granting you good health, prosperity, and continued success.

May the Lord Almighty always keep the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and our Holy Apostolic Church bright. Amen.