ETCHMIADZIN. – The Canonization Service of the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide is about to start at Holy See of Mother Etchmiadzin.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I who has brought the relics of Armenian Genocide victims are holding the ceremony.

By Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the following 14 Holy Relics, out of the numerous Holy relics of the Armenian Church, will be used during the Service of Canonization of the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide: Holy Lance ‘Geghard’ , the Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Relic of the True Cross, Reliquary of Skevra, the Right Hand of the Virgin St. Hripsime, the Right Hand of St. Gevork the Warrior, Cross-reliquary of St. John the Baptist, St. Gregory of Narek and other Saints, Gospel of Zeytun, Cross-reliquary of St. Thaddeus and St. Virgin Sandukht, the Right Hand of Catholicos St. Sahak I Parthev.

Participating in the service are the Armenian clergy, and the leaders and official delegations of the Christian Churches in Armenia for the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Among participants of the ceremony are Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church Kurt Koch. the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada Tikhon and other clergymen.