A LEGACY OF FAITH AND COURAGE

Today, we celebrate the feast day of St. Ghevont, the priest, and his clergy brothers. In the fifth century, when our people faced one of the greatest threats in their history and the Persian Empire sought to erase Armenia’s Christian identity, St. Ghevont and his clergy brothers stood boldly with the Armenian army for their faith and their nation, defying impossible odds.

On the eve of the Battle of Avarayr, May 24, AD 451, when the enemy was closing in, St. Ghevont gathered the soldiers, celebrated Badarak, administered Holy Communion, and even baptized those who had not yet been received into the church. And with his words, he reminded them about the love of God and that no battle, no hardship, not even death itself, could separate them from His love.

That assurance gave them the courage to fight for their faith, their families, and their homeland. They knew that they weren’t alone, that God Almighty was with them, and that no matter what came against them, victory, true victory, was already theirs!

Today, as we honor St. Ghevont and his companions, we also take a moment to celebrate the dedication and service of our clergy, those who continue to walk in his footsteps. Week after week, they pray, they preach, they serve, they pour their hearts into guiding our people in faith. In times of challenge, they stand firm. In moments of doubt, they bring hope. And just like St. Ghevont, they are called to be beacons of hope, sources of spiritual strength, exemplars of divine love.

So today, to all our beloved clergy, we say: Thank you! Thank you for your dedication, your service, and your unwavering commitment to the Armenian Church. May you be strengthened with the same courage, the same boldness, and the same deep faith that defined St. Ghevont’s life, knowing that you are making an eternal impact in the lives of God’s people.

And for all of us, may we live inspired by their example. May we go into every battle, every challenge, and every hardship not with fear but with faith, knowing that when God is with us, victory is already ours!

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
February 25, 2025