Delegation of the Holy Father at the Re-consecration of the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin (Armenia) and Blessing of the Holy Myron

3 Oct 2024

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals and Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, as his delegate to represent him at the celebrations held in Etchmiadzin from 27 to 29 September 2024.

The delegation also included Archbishops Flavio Pace and Michel Jalakh, who serve as Secretaries of the Dicasteries for the Promotion of Christian Unity and for the Oriental Churches, respectively. Upon their arrival in Armenia, they were joined by the Papal Representative, His Excellency Ante Jozic, who arrived a few days earlier, as well as Nunciature Councillor Monsignor Aleksandr Rahinia.

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed the delegation and engaged in discussions on the morning of 27 September, during which he received greetings and a gift from Pope Francis. They reflected on the relations between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Church, as well as on the suffering experienced by the Armenian people due to the recent events in Artsakh.

In the afternoon, a meeting took place, allowing representatives from various Churches and organisations to share messages and engage in a final prayer. In the evening, a vigil was held at the Cathedral, where restoration work had recently been completed, marking the first part of the consecration ceremony.

On the morning of 28 September, all guests prayed at the Mausoleum commemorating the victims of the Genocide and visited the cemetery of those who died in the conflict in Artsakh. In the afternoon, the blessing of the Holy Myron took place at the open-air altar in Etchmiadzin. This event had been postponed by one year from the seven-year deadline set for 2022, due to the conflict and to allow for the completion of the Cathedral’s renovation and consolidation.

On the morning of Sunday, 29 September, the consecration of the Cathedral altar was celebrated, followed by the Divine Liturgy, which was also presided over by His Holiness Karekin II.

Enclosed is the text of the message read by His Eminence Cardinal Sandri during the ecumenical meeting, in which he expressed his best wishes for the celebrations and also anticipated the forthcoming 25th anniversary of His Holiness Karekin II’s election as Supreme Catholicos.