International Orthodox Christian News

On 20 September, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided during the celebration of a special Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Armenian Pontiff Vasken I of blessed memory.

The celebrant was His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin. In his sermon, His Eminence reflected on the exceptional role of His Holiness Vasken I in the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Archbishop Yeznik noted that during the Soviet years, His Holiness not only overcame all the trials and hardships of official state-sponsored atheism, but he was able to strengthen and reinforce the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He managed to establish close relationships with other Christian Churches and educated an entire generation of clergy who continue the realization of his dreams and unfinished plans. Archbishop Yeznik stressed that His Holiness Vasken I served God with devotion, through service to his nation and Church.

"I am happy to be the scion of a pontiff like His Holiness Vasken I. I am certain that he is looking down at us from heaven, and is joyful – not because we are gathered here and honor his memory; not because the Armenian Church and the authorities of the Republic of Armenia honor him by naming schools after him; not because celebrations are held in Armenia and the Diaspora; rather his soul rejoices because he sees that today, the Armenian Church steadfastly follows the direction he had charted for us," stressed Archbishop Yeznik in his sermon. His Eminence also asked the faithful to express their appreciation to God for giving the Armenian people a Catholicos like His Holiness Vasken I of blessed memory.

After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness Karekin II presided over a Repose of Souls service offered at the tomb of His Holiness Vasken I, in the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral.

His Holiness Vasken I

His Holiness Vasken I (Baljian) was born in Bucharest, Romania on September 20, 1908. He was baptized and given the name Levon Garabed. He began his adult life as a philosopher, then became an instructor in local Armenian schools, and later became a Doctor of Theology and was ordained as a celibate priest in the Armenian Church. He quickly became bishop of the Armenian diocese of Romania and led the Armenian community in Eastern Europe for a decade.

In 1955, Bishop Vasken Baljian was elected as Catholicos of All Armenians in Holy Etchmiadzin by the National Ecclesiastical Assembly. He was one of the youngest members of the church hierarchy to ascend to the Throne of the Illuminator.

During his nearly 40-year reign as the Armenian Pontiff, he lived through many historic events and developments of Armenian life. He led the Church through the difficult years of the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union, through Détente, through the easing of tensions and restrictions in the U.S.S.R., through the terrible earthquake that devastated Northern Armenia in 1988, through the liberation struggle for the Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh) and the independence movement for Armenia, and through the difficult war years between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Finally, at the very end of his life, Vasken I saw a free and independent Armenian homeland and a liberated Artsakh, fulfilling the dreams of all Armenians for more than 600 years.

He was a prolific writer, having published numerous scholarly and ecclesiastical articles, and valued Christian education as one of the most important tasks of the Church. Following independence, he began a substantial church re-building program and saved numerous historic ancient churches and monasteries. He also was successful in saving countless church treasures and managed to gather priceless relics and manuscripts in Holy Etchmiadzin for safekeeping. He traveled extensively, conducting more than 30 pontifical visits during his 39-year reign. He became the first Catholicos of All Armenians to ever visit North and South America .

Vasken I also intensified ecumenical ties and emphasized the development and maintenance of positive inter-Church and inter-faith relations. He visited the heads of many sister Churches and leaders of other faiths, and in turn, received them in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Vasken I entered his eternal rest on August 18, 1994, having served the Armenian Church and nation with unyielding devotion and unfailing love throughout his entire life of service.

Source: