The ceremonial opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope for the Armenian Catholic Ordinariate of Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe took place on the evening of February 1, 2025, on the Eve of the Presentation of the Christ, at the Holy Martyrs Cathedral in Gyumri, by His Excellency Archbishop Gevorg Noradounkian. Later the Divine Liturgy was served, with the concelebration of Reverend Father Nerses Galstyan and Reverend Father Hovhannes Melikyan. The clergy serving in Armenia, the Armenian nuns of the Immaculate Conception, and a multitude of faithful from different communities, who came as pilgrims to the Cathedral Church, were prayerfully present at the solemn ceremonies.

The opening of the Holy Doors of the Cathedral symbolizes God’s mercy before the people, who pleads with tragical chanting the Divine Mercy and forgiveness for sins. This ceremony in the Armenian Church is usually performed on the evening of Palm Sunday. However, since this year was proclaimed by His Holiness the Jubilee Year of Hope and Mercy, the doors of the temple were opened on the eve of the customary celebration in honor of the Presentation of the Christ.

The faithful were also given copies of Armenian translation of His Holiness Pope Francis’s bull, “Hope Never Disappoints,” and His Excellency Archbishop Gevorg Noradounkian’s pastoral address, “Let Us Live Together in This Jubilee Year of Hope.” In the epistle, His Excellency Noradounkian also explains the conditions for receiving a plenary indulgence.

During his sermon at the Divine Liturgy, the Ordinary Bishop reminded the faithful that the Jubilee Year signifies a time of pilgrimage, with the opening of the Holy Doors serving as a pilgrimage in its own right. “We are called to embark on a pilgrimage of Hope. We must maintain our hope, for all that seems impossible can indeed become a reality.”

His Excellency urged the faithful to reflect on the figure of the elderly Simeon, who, despite his age, remained devoted to serving God and patiently awaited the salvation of Israel at the same time keeping an unwavering hope within him for many years. In the end, Simeon witnessed Hope embodied in the Child Jesus. Raising his eyes, he begged God to grant him peace, “My eyes have seen your salvation.”

“The symbol and the sample of hope is embodied in elder Simeon… my beloved faithful, within each of us lies a Simeon. Although you may be young, you possess the patience of Simeon. Each person has expectations and hopes, yet it is essential to have the courage to ensure that we never lose our hope.”

Following the Divine Liturgy, a candle blessing ceremony took place, after which a bonfire, representing the light of Christ, was lit alongside the reading of the Gospel. This was followed by the beautiful ceremony of the Blessing of the Houses, an ancient tradition that involves consecrating the four corners of the world, as well as cities, villages, homes, and monasteries, usually performed during the evening service.

Secretariat of the Armenian Catholic Ordinariate

02.02.2025

Translated by Ulyana Kostanyan