On September 29, 2024, a grand re-consecration ceremony of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church, took place for the first time since its founding in 303 AD. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan, President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, as well as representatives from the Armenian diaspora, diplomatic corps, and church dignitaries. Metropolitan Isidor of Dorogobuzh represented the Russian Orthodox Church, among other hierarchs of Local Orthodox Churches.

The day before, on September 28, a significant rite of the Armenian Church — the blessing of the Holy Chrism (Myron) — was held in the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. This important ceremony, conducted once every seven years, was delayed from last year due to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The re-consecration ceremony was led by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. The ritual began with the "Our Father" prayer and the consecration of the altar with water and wine. In his sermon following the liturgy, Catholicos Karekin emphasized that any opposition to Holy Etchmiadzin is tantamount to fighting against Armenian identity and statehood. He stressed that the Armenian Church, despite facing numerous challenges throughout the centuries, has remained steadfast in its spiritual mission.

At the end of the ceremony, Catholicos Karekin II presented the highest awards of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The "Order of Holy Etchmiadzin" was bestowed upon philanthropists who contributed significantly to the restoration of the cathedral, including benefactors such as Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, and Samvel and Eteri Karapetian, among others.

Restoration of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral began in 2017 and spanned a total of 12 years. Reports indicate that the cathedral was in critical condition at the start of the renovations. The restoration included the reinforcement of structural supports and the replacement of a 17th-century brass cross with a new bronze one. According to the architects, the new cross replicates the original in style and size but is not an exact copy.

Photo: Press Service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.