On Sunday, September 15, 2013 the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Holy Cross Church in Laval. Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the last one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is the most important feast among the feasts dedicated to the Holy Cross, as it is dedicated to the history of the return of the Holy Cross from imprisonment, its elevation and glorification.
The Morning Prayer Service commenced at 10:30 which was followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by the Pastor of the Church Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanayan, assisted by the deacons and acolytes of the Church.
During the Divine Liturgy Rev. Komitas Mirzakhanyan reflected on the message of the feast “ It was once an instrument of torture and death and after Jesus crusification it became for Christians the symbol of salvation, and victory over death. For Christians the Cross is God’s power and strength and pride of all prides, on which Christ’s innocent blood was shed. By means of the Cross Jesus proved His love towards mankind, and the Cross became for us the symbol of hope, love and saving” said Rev. Komitas Mirzakhanayn in his sermon.
He also spoke about the Armenian Genocide Monument project and presented to the faithful bronze miniatures of the monument created by the famous sculptor Arto Tchakmakdjian and in order to succeed this project Fr. Komitas asked everyone’s generous support.
At the conclusion of the service, Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan, with the participation of the deacons, Choir and faithful conducted the traditional service of ‘Andastan’ during which the processional cross is adorned with basil (a symbol of royalty) and the four corners of the church are blessed as a symbol for all the world.
Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan thanked all the Ladies and some volunteers who helped out to organized luncheon after Badarak. At the end of the service deacons distributed the blessed madagh to the faithful.
The next day, on September 16, a Morning and Requiem Service was offered for the peace and serenity of the souls of the deceased.
