Ecumenical Consecration of Holy Chrism

(Echmiadzin – Blagovest-Info) The ceremony consecrating the holy chrism in Echmiadzin, which is conducted by the Armenian Apostolic Church every seven years, was attended by representatives of twelve churches, in particular – Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Assyrian, Constantinople and Malabar. The Ecumenical prayer was led Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia (Lebanon), Aram I and Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I.

Under the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church the blessing of chrism is maintained by right only to the Catholicos of all Armenians. In the sanctification, the Armenian Apostolic Church uses two relics: the right hand of Gregory the Illuminator and the holy spear pierced Jesus was crucified on the Cross of Christ. The right hand of the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Gregory the Illuminator – during the consecration process was kept by Karekin II, and the other – the holy spear – by Bartholomew I.