Posts Tagged ‘St. Gregory the Illuminator’

FEAST OF THE SHOGHAGAT OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

Posted in Feast Day, Saints, tagged , , on August 11, 2011|

     This Saturday, August 14 is the Feast of the Shoghagat of Holy Etchmiadzin, which always takes place on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the Assumption. The title of this feast, Shoghagat, refers to the vision of St. Gregory and the rays of light when God chose the site for the Mother Cathedral. This feast is celebrated on Assumption because the Cathedral in Etchmiadzin is named in honor of the Holy Mother, although through the years it became known as Etchmiadzin and Shoghagat referred to the three other nearby churches built by Gregory the Illuminator.

Reposted from Eastern Prelacy’s Crossroad E-Newsletter

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KING DRTAD, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT

Posted in Holy Fathers of the Church, Saints, tagged , , , on July 14, 2011|

   This Saturday, July 16, the Armenian Church remembers King Drtad (Tiridates), Queen Ashkhen, and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of the cruel and fatal treatment of the Hripsimiants nuns, King Drtad became inflicted with strange and debilitating maladies. Queen Ashkhen, and the king’s sister, Princess Khosrovitoukht (who had secretly become a Christian) convinced the King that only Gregory could cure him. Thus, Gregory was released from the deep pit. With the King’s subsequent recovery, all three helped Gregory spread Christianity throughout Armenia. In their later years the Queen and Princess lived in the fortress of Karni, and the King retired to St. Gregory’s retreat on Mt. Sebouh.

Posted from the Crossroads, E-Newsletter of the Eastern Armenian Prelacy

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