"Our prayers, our praise . . . must always be raised up under these arches to heaven"
The sermon of Karekin II at St. Mary’s
Published: Wednesday November 12, 2008
Chennai, India - We heard earlier today in the gospel that a house that's built on sand does not stand the test of time, but a house built on a strong foundation withstands all trials and storms. For 300 years, this house of the Lord has stood steadfast and unshaken. It is built on the rock and faith of our fathers. It is that same faith today that has restored this church.
We commend the Armenian Community Council of India and Rev. Fr. Oshagan Vartabed Gulgulian for their devoted and vigilant work, which has restored and ornamented this church and made it vibrant once again. We hope that this newly reconsecrated church once again will fulfill its mission in Madras, to the residents of the Armenian community in India, as well as Armenian visitors who come to India.
We hope to soon assign a permanent priest to Madras following the completion of construction work, so that the doors will always be open for our sons and daughters, to receive them and fan their prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Our souls and the souls of all those who are at rest in this church and in the courtyard of this church are overjoyed today. Their memories bless us today, for they were faithful to Jesus Christ always, and they today pray for us to remain with that same faith. May God keep his right hand over our Church, over our nation, dispersed throughout the world and in our homeland, so that the Armenian nation shall continue to build our lives forever under the protection of Christ and to endure the passage of time.
Our prayers, our praise, in the language of Mashdots and in the spirit of Naregatsi must always be raised up under these arches to heaven. We are overjoyed with you from all over the world, specifically from the United States, having learned that your brothers and sisters are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the consecration of the church in Kolkata, have come to India to share in their happiness and to transmit to them the encouragement and fortitude to continue. Our blessings and appreciation to you, for your spirit, your faith, your selfless devotion, and your love.
We shall be with you for the next week, to pray together and celebrate together, and to keep and protect all that our ancestors have bequeathed to us, and to praise our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. God bless us all in the homeland and in the diaspora, so that from our lips, the praise to God shall always ascend as we thank and glorify his name.
Chennai, India - We heard earlier today in the gospel that a house that's built on sand does not stand the test of time, but a house built on a strong foundation withstands all trials and storms. For 300 years, this house of the Lord has stood steadfast and unshaken. It is built on the rock and faith of our fathers. It is that same faith today that has restored this church.
We commend the Armenian Community Council of India and Rev. Fr. Oshagan Vartabed Gulgulian for their devoted and vigilant work, which has restored and ornamented this church and made it vibrant once again. We hope that this newly reconsecrated church once again will fulfill its mission in Madras, to the residents of the Armenian community in India, as well as Armenian visitors who come to India.
We hope to soon assign a permanent priest to Madras following the completion of construction work, so that the doors will always be open for our sons and daughters, to receive them and fan their prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Our souls and the souls of all those who are at rest in this church and in the courtyard of this church are overjoyed today. Their memories bless us today, for they were faithful to Jesus Christ always, and they today pray for us to remain with that same faith. May God keep his right hand over our Church, over our nation, dispersed throughout the world and in our homeland, so that the Armenian nation shall continue to build our lives forever under the protection of Christ and to endure the passage of time.
Our prayers, our praise, in the language of Mashdots and in the spirit of Naregatsi must always be raised up under these arches to heaven. We are overjoyed with you from all over the world, specifically from the United States, having learned that your brothers and sisters are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the consecration of the church in Kolkata, have come to India to share in their happiness and to transmit to them the encouragement and fortitude to continue. Our blessings and appreciation to you, for your spirit, your faith, your selfless devotion, and your love.
We shall be with you for the next week, to pray together and celebrate together, and to keep and protect all that our ancestors have bequeathed to us, and to praise our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. God bless us all in the homeland and in the diaspora, so that from our lips, the praise to God shall always ascend as we thank and glorify his name.
(c) 2009 Armenian Reporter
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