Feast of Saint Vartan

This year, on February 24, the Armenian Church celebrates the Day of Remembrance of St. Vardan the Warrior and His Companions.

The Feast has a great sense of patriotic and Christian fidelity. The army of commander Vardan rose to defend his faith, homeland, and national identity at the cost of his own life. And although the Armenian commander Vardan Mamikonyan and his brave 1036 companions died in this unequal battle, they proved with their determination that no external force can turn the Armenian people away from their faith and, as the Armenian commander said, Christianity is like the color of our skin, which cannot be changed.

Both in the Battle of Avarayr and throughout its history, the Armenian Church has always stood next to the Armenian army, both with prayer and with weapons. After that battle, the Armenian people went through many Avarayr battles, keeping their unwavering faith.

On the occasion of the feast of St. Vardan, the Artsakh Diocese organized a pilgrimage to the church of St. Vardan of the city of Chartar. Under the chairmanship of the primate of the Artsakh Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan and by the hand of Father Mkhitar Haroyan, pastor of the church of St. Vardan served the holy liturgy. During the ceremony, a sermon was delivered on the feast of St. Vardan and a prayer was raised for the peace of the Armenian people.

At the end of the Holy Liturgy, a patriarchal prayer was said on the occasion of the naming day of the Catholicos of All Armenians, wishing His Holiness many years of productive enthronement.

On the occasion of the feast, a cultural event was also organized, during which the talented youth of Chartar performed various musical and dance numbers. Patriot Armine Antonyan from Russia, who taught “History of the Armenian Genocide” at the RSUH, also spoke at the event.