Primate'S Message To The Faithful On The Great Lent

In the Armenian Church, the Great Lent is observed by intense spiritual preparation and fasting, for the meaningful period allows each faithful to better comprehend the Victorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Man, who has been created in the image of God, is powerless in his nature and it is essential that his soul receives spiritual nourishment from the Living Gospel of our Savior. Whoever illuminates his soul with the Word of God witnesses the inner world revealed before him and hence, chooses to walk alongside the Creator.

What role shall the Great Lent play in our daily lives? The answer is simple. We ought to emulate Christ our Lord, by following in His footsteps and just like Christ, who after His baptism prayed and fasted for 40 days to prepare for His divine ministry, we too, ought to reaffirm our Christian character by cultivating our souls so that we may be better prepared for Christ's Holy Resurrection.

Our forefathers have laid the groundwork for the Lenten journey by introducing Lenten prayer services which enrich our spirituality. By following the daily scriptural readings and by taking part in the sunrise and vigil services, we shall feel the enlightenment of our inner world, as well as God's divine presence in our lives. 

We call upon every Christian Armenian to engage in daily prayer and to read the Holy Bible on a daily basis so that your life may mirror the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the Lenten Journey is the starting point which leads to the eventual meeting between Man and God.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian

Primate