Pilgrimage dedicated to the feast of St. George the Victorious

Today, on September 25th, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the feast of St. George the Victorious. Inactive churches bearing the name of St. George, the holy and immortal Liturgy was served. In Artsakh liturgy was served in Astkhashen church of Askeran region and Nerkin Horatagh of Martakert region (next to the military unit).

In the Astkhashen Church of St. George the liturgy was held by the local priest Rev. Father Benjamin Tsaturyan. In his sermon, the Holy Father touched upon the history and meaning of the holiday, told in detail about the life and work of St. George the Victorious.

After that, the priest asked the intercession of the Saint for the resilience of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, for the authorities, people and army, and also asked for peace and security.

Prayers were raised for the freedom of our captured brothers and sisters, for the health of the wounded, for peace and the salvation of the souls of the fallen heroes. After the liturgy a spiritual-cultural event was held in the courtyard of the temple, after which the holy sacrificial meat was distributed to the pilgrims.

Saint George was a high-ranking Roman officer, a martyr of Christianity, ordained to the rank of saints. Saint George (translated as a farmer) could have reached the heights of power, but he chose a different path. Having once heard at the court the verdict on the extermination of Christians, George appeared to Diocletian and declared himself a Christian, and also denounced the emperor of cruelty and injustice. For his opposition to the persecution of Christians, Saint George was arrested and imprisoned and then subjected to torture. He was executed for his faith in Christ in 303. Saint George is one of the most revered saints in the Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches, one of the most famous holy commanders. After the saint's martyrdom, many miracles have occurred and still occurring. Many churches were built in his honor.

May Saint George protect all of us, our Motherland, our army, prisoners, soldiers and commanders. May all our good intentions and dreams come true through his intercession.