Armenian Apostolic Church to mark Araratian Week

The Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the annual Araratian Week from 1-7 June, with a series of liturgies and processions centred on its most revered relics. The ceremonies will take place under the blessing of Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II.

On 31 May, ahead of the week’s observances, three sacred relics will be brought out for public veneration at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: a fragment of the True Cross, the Right Hand of St Gregory the Illuminator, and relics of St Sahak Partev. These will remain accessible to worshippers until 20:00.

Programme Highlights

• 1 June – Feast of St Hripsime Relics of the saint will be carried in procession from Etchmiadzin to St Hripsime Church, followed by Divine Liturgy and the traditional Andastan blessing.

• 2 June – Feast of St Gayane Relics of St Gayane will be taken to St Gayane Church, with liturgy and Andastan.

• 4 June – Feast of St John the Baptist and Bishop Atanagine Relics will be transferred to Shoghakat Monastery for liturgy.

• 6 June – Feast of St Gregory the Illuminator’s Release from the Pit Relics will be taken to Khor Virap Monastery, marking Gregory’s emergence from imprisonment.

• 7 June – Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin The week culminates with liturgy at the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, followed by a prayer led by the Catholicos for the Mother See’s endurance and radiance.

The Araratian Week is among the most significant liturgical cycles of the Armenian church, drawing pilgrims from across the country and abroad to honour saints and relics central to Armenian Christian identity.