His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the celebration of Palm Sunday on March 29, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The feast has long been marked, by Catholicos Karekin’s decree, as an occasion for a ceremonial “Blessing of Children.” His Holiness presided over that ceremony at the Mother See, following a traditional antasdan (field-blessing) service. He bestowed palm and willow branches on the large crowd of children gathered in prayer.
This year’s service was an especially joyous occasion, with His Holiness welcoming some 750 students of the “Hayortiats” Armenian children’s homes, operating under the auspices of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
The children joined worshippers, dignitaries, and members of Holy Etchmiadzin’s monastic brotherhood in the Mother Cathedral to usher in the week-long observance of Holy Week, leading to Easter Sunday.
His Holiness presided over the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan. In a homily, Fr. Zakaria—who directs the Mother See’s Preaching Center—envisioned the gospel story of Palm Sunday as “a unique test of faith,” whereby many that “glorified the Lord on one day were ready to demand His crucifixion the next.” He observed that “Jesus entered Jerusalem not to be glorified, however, but to suffer for the salvation of mankind…. So let us open the doors of our hearts and allow Jesus to enter and reign there.”
Click the following links to view photos, and to watch a video digest of Holy Etchmiadzin’s Palm Sunday observances.