International Orthodox Christian News

From the time of the first Catholicos of All Armenians – St. Gregory the Illuminator, the right to bless the Holy Muron (Chrism) has been reserved for the consecrated head of the Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians.

The blessing of the Holy Muron, which traditionally occurs once every seven years, will take place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag, September 28, 2008. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside and personally offer the service. He will be assisted by twelve archbishops of the Armenian Church from dioceses throughout the world.

One of the committees has already completed their work of gathering the ingredients for the Holy Muron. The two main elements which makes up the foundation of the Holy Muron are pure, virgin olive oil and balsam, to which are combined more than 40 kinds of fragrant incense, flowers, sweet aromatic plants, roots and floral extracts, as well as different oil and leaf extracts.

The ingredients have been transported to the Mother See from numerous sources and countries around the world. The large supply of olive oil was graciously donated to Holy Etchmiadzin by His Excellency Ioannis Korinthios, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hellenic Republic (Greece) to the Republic of Armenia, as a gift from the Greek people to the Armenians. Balsam and rose oil were brought to Holy Etchmiadzin by Mr. Bedros Aslanian, from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Numerous oils and extracts have arrived from the Far East – the majority from India, and were personally delivered by Very Rev. Father Oshagan Gulgulian, Dean of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in Calcutta and Pastor of the Armenians of India.

Clove oil, castor oil, lemon oil, lemon essence, bay oil and musk powder are just a few of the rare ingredients transported from India during Father Oshagan’s most recent visit. Father Oshagan stated that the ingredients came from several locations, including Mumbai (Bombay), areas north of Delhi and some from Kolkata (Calcutta). Due to international airline restrictions, the ingredients had to be specially wrapped and boxed for transport, as they could not be hand carried on the plane.

Father Oshagan remarked that during his journey, Indian and U.A.E. officials were exceedingly helpful and respectful when they discovered the final purpose of the ingredients he was transporting and the rarity of the occasion. The final leg of his journey was aboard Armavia Airlines, and upon learning of the purpose of his trip, the crew was excited and happy to be a part of his mission. "I was very proud to be flying on an Armenian plane, carrying the ingredients for the Holy Muron, and when Mt. Ararat and finally, Holy Etchmiadzin came into view, it was a very emotional moment for me", said Father Oshagan.

On the evening of August 18, the cauldron which holds the Holy Muron was filled with olive oil and placed on the bema in front of the main altar of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. For the next 40 days, it shall be present for the prayers and special psalms which are read during evening services, as well as during the Divine Liturgies celebrated for the next seven weeks.

Once all of the other ingredients are gathered, they will be crushed, ground and mixed with white wine, rose water, and other floral essences by the members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, with their offerings of prayer and incense. The mixing is scheduled to take place on September 14, 15 and 16, following which the mixture cooks for three days on September 17, 18 and 19, all on the grounds of the Mother See.

Numerous dioceses outside of Armenia have made plans to bring groups of pilgrims to witness and participate in this special event. Several public events are planned during the days before and after the festive service.

The schedule of events follows. More information will be provided as details become available.

Friday, 26 September

Saturday, 27 September

Sunday, 28 September

Monday, 29 September