Western Diocese

On Tuesday, August 19, 2008, the 40-day-long preparation of the Holy Muron, which traditionally occurs every seven years, began with the service of evensong presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Pontiff accompanied and assisted by several clergy initiated the prayers and readings from the Holy Scriptures upon the container of the Holy Muron filled with a special type of oil.

His Holiness, upon the conclusion of the evensong service, blessed the attending faithful and offered brief remarks on the significance of the Holy Muron and its application in consecrating our bodies, monasteries and churches.

The 40-day-preparation rite in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will be completed by the Blessing of the Holy Muron on the Feast Day of the Holy Cross of Varak, on 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.