Dear Friends,
Prayer for the Pontiff
8th Anniversary of
the Enthronement of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians
Deacon: Again in peace let us beseech the Lord, receive, save and have mercy.
Priest: Blessing and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn: Hrashapar – Marvelous and glorious God, who are always benevolent and provident, who did originate by your foreknowledge the salvation of the people of Armenia. You have granted us an enlightener from the sinful Parthian race; therefore, O Savior, through his intercession save us now and at the time of your awesome second coming.
Alleluia, alleluia, You shall arise and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favor her is now at hand. (Psalm 102:13)
A Reading from the Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews (13:17, 20:21)
Obey your leaders and submit to them for they are keeping watch over your souls as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully and not sadly, for that, would be of no advantage to you. Now may the God of peace who brought again form the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and every. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, the Lord has sworn, and will not repent. You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedech. And the Lord is at your right hand. (Psalm 104:4)
The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John (10:11-16)
Our Lord Jesus Christ says: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
Priest: Through the prayers of and intercession of our Holy Father Gregory the Enlightener and of all the saints grant, Lord, peace to all the world.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: To the God-established and indestructible great See (of Holy Etchmiadzin) grant, Lord, unshaken stability.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: And to Orthodox Churches grant, Lord, stability.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: To our great Patriarch, Lord KAREKIN, Catholicos of All Armenians, grant, Lord, peace and safety at all times.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: And to us, who are assembled here, to each one according to his rank and order, grant, Lord, love and unity.
Choir: Amen.
Thanksgiving Prayer for the Pontiff
Lord our God, beneficent and all merciful, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of our Apostles Sts. Thaddeus and Bartholomew, who evangelized Armenia from the darkness of idolatry, and of St. Gregory, who converted our forefathers, accept the requests of your people for His Holiness Lord KAREKIN, whom you have chosen to be the leader and pontiff over the Armenian nation. Keep him safe and unshaken in his great calling for many years. Grant that he guide your people with humility and in orthodoxy. Raise the undaunted horn of your anointed one in the world; make him worthy to be a faithful and wise steward of your New Covenant.
Look upon your people, who believe in you and keep him safe and free from every evil so that he may live in righteousness, clothed in the holiness of Christ; and that we may be one flock with one shepherd and become worthy of everlasting joy with all your saints, through the grace of your Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom together with You, O Heavenly Father, and to the consubstantial Holy Spirit is befitting glory, dominion and honor, now and forever. Amen
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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
November 4, 2007