The Blessing of the Holy Muron (Holy Chrism) will take place on Saturday–May 26 by His Holiness Aram I–Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. The Blessing has been organized in commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian left for Beirut on Monday to partake in the historic ceremony. Also representing the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America–are Very Reverend Papken Charian and Reverend Father Razmig Khachadurian of the Religious Council–along with Kevork Atmajian–Garo Avakian and Avo Donoyan of the Executive Council. Accompanying the delegation are community benefactors John and Asdghig Bedrossian.
A series of events devoted to the 1700th anniversary will be held in addition to the ecumenical service. The catholicosate has organized cultural programs including an Armenian Independence Day parade–visits to Ainjar–the Theological Seminary of Bikfaya–the Armenian Sanitarium of Azounieh and the Birds’ Nest of Jebail and sightseeing tours to Baalbeck–Byblos–Harisa and Jeita. A pilgrimage to Der Zor is also part of the itinerary.