On December 23, a Holy Mass was served for the Armenian Caritas staff, at the Armenian Catholic Cathedral of “Holy Martyrs”, in Gyumri.

The meeting started with the speech of Fr. Grigor Mkrtchyan, the Parish Priest of the Holy Martyrs Cathedral and representative of Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian in the Armenian Caritas.

“Today we are all participants in the celebration of the Holy Nativity, we as clergymen are called to serve Holy Altar, and you, as faithful people, are called to participate and taste the Holy Body and Blood of the Lord that is poured and distributed to us from this Altar. We are all filled with joy and happiness on a birthday. We are very happy and comforted, because today’s birthday is special, it is special because we, as guests, receive a gift instead of offering a gift. And that gift is the most expensive and irreplaceable ․․․

O Christ the Savior, blessed is Your Nativity, blessed and glorious is Your revelation, let our hearts and minds never lack Your presence, so that we may feel Your Will deeper and meet Your call for peace and solidarity among people in the land.”

Fr. Hovsep Galstyan, the Spiritual Advisor of Armenian Caritas, spoke about the meaning of the Holy Nativity, particularly referring it to the Armenian Caritas:

“I welcome Fr. Grigor’s initiative, which brought us together here today. It is necessary for us to pray together to express our solidarity and love with you.

You can also use such opportunities to express your communion with us!

And what does the Holy Nativity mean for Caritas. From this feast we must take a very strong stimulus, enthusiasm, as the Apostle Paul says “Be on fire with the Spirit!”, because without this, Caritas’s work will not reach its right goal, ․․.” We must always think of more so that the spiritual meaning does not fade in your social mission.”

The Holy Liturgy was served by Mons. Fr. Garnik Hovsepian, the Vicar of the Ordinary of Armenian Catholics of Armenia, with the concelebration of Fr. Grigor Mkrtchyan and Fr. Narek Tadevosyan.

During his sermon, Fr. Garnik greeted and congratulated everyone with Christmas. Fr. Garnik, presenting his Christmas message, particularly mentioned the following:

“Dear brothers and sisters!

Let me heartily congratulate you and your families on the upcoming Christmas and New Year. On the eve of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, united in prayer, we glorify the newborn Savior, so that the true light of His Nativity may enlighten our souls.

Dear attendees, relying on the infinite love and mercy of our Lord, we have been able to overcome all kinds of trials and hardships facing our nation for centuries. Even today, with our unity and solidarity, we can protect our motherland from any dangers and crises. Therefore, let us be girded with the life-giving power of the Lord, let us remain strong in our faith and hope, that we may be able to dispel the heavy darkness that has enveloped all mankind.

The richest graces and blessings of God to you and your families․”

At the end of the Holy Mass, Fr. Grigor recited a Thanksgiving Prayer, which ended as follows:

“Lord, give us hope that in the hour of trial we will not be afraid, we will live according to Your will, remembering that whoever endures to the end, he will be saved.

We ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints this coming year, so that with strengthened God-given graces, we can keep and live our faith in love and hope.”

After the Holy Liturgy, the Choir of St. Astvatsatsin Church in Panik performed Christmas songs.

Written and translated by Anush Harutyunyan