On August 14, the Armenian Apostolic Church solemnly celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. On this joyful occasion, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The celebrant was His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See.

“Today, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the commemoration of an event that occurred centuries ago, the assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary; the Holy Mother of Our Lord and one of the greatest patron saints of the Universal Church.
 
Over the centuries the Armenian Church has always reflected the image of the Holy Mother of God as a supreme and perfect example of humankind, motherhood, and obedience to God's word. Many written works, and spiritual songs, hymns and prayers are dedicated to the Holy Mother of God.  The Armenian people have always reflected on her character and dignity.
 
In her childhood she was presented to the Temple for service, nourished and grew up there with the hope of a spiritual cognitive life and when she was 16, because of her dignity and purity, she was visited by the angel of God.

In the Annunciation passage the Evangelist tells as how a dialogue takes place between the Archangel and the Holy Virgin. We know that the messenger of God had brought good tidings for her as she would give birth to the Savior of mankind; Our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the conclusion of their dialogue, the Holy Virgin, who was humble, submissive, meek, pure and holy in his image, makes an important remark, saying “I am and will be the Lord's servant.”

If through the first female Eve, sin and condemnation entered human life, then through the image of the Holy Mother of God, the second Eve, with the same human image, the way of mankind’s salvation was set. The greatness of the Holy Mother of God is shown not only in this important act that she gave birth, mixed Holy Spirit with her flesh and became the golden tabernacle whence the true Light of the human race appeared. The Holy Mother of God, with her exemplary humility and kindness, followed Our Lord, perceiving and understanding the Lord’s tiding of sacrifice, cross, salvation and love.
 
Our beloved Holy Mother of God has always inspired our nation and interceded for us.

The Armenian Church has seven feasts dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, and this one, as the greatest, has been distinguished as one of the five tabernacle feasts.
 
Today, all of us, on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, make a pilgrimage to this universal Mother Cathedral, the Mother See of the Armenian Church, to bring our humility to the Holy Alter of this Cathedral named after the Holy Mother of God, from where with the sacrament of today’s Divine Liturgy, her commemoration will again be alive, and Our Lord will be born and distributed in our lives in love, through the sacrament of Holy Communion; a love which must completely transform our lives, sanctify us with prayer and establish unity between God and us...We ask for the intercession of the Holy Mother of God to grant all of us Grace, love and peace” stated His Grace Bishop Vardan in his sermon.
 
Following Divine Liturgy, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Voskan Galphakyan, a service of Blessing of the Grapes was offered at the Open Alter of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. At the end of the service, blessed grapes were distributed to faithful people.