Primates of the the Russian Orthodox and the Armenian Apostolic Churches take part in the Pascha in the Kremlin celebrations

PRIMATES OF THE THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX AND THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCHES TAKE PART IN THE PASCHA IN THE KREMLIN CELEBRATIONS

The Pascha in the Kremlin concert was given by Russian and Armenian performers on April 22 at the State Kremlin Palace to mark the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as state religion in Armenia.

The concert was attended by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Among the guests were also Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, bishops, clergy and laity of the Russian Orthodox and the Armenian Apostolic Churches, as well as Russian and Armenian statesmen and diplomats.

Before the concert, Patriarch Alexy II and Catholicos Karekin II addressed the guests. Patriarch Alexy said in particular, “In these radiant days when the entire Christian world celebrates the first Pascha of Christ in the third millennium, the Armenian people mark the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as state religion in Armenia. It is significant that we begin the celebrations devoted to this anniversary in Moscow together with the Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian community. Brotherly relations between Russia and Armenia have developed for centuries and today’s celebrations will contribute to further consolidation of cooperation and mutual understanding between our Churches and nations”.

The Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians said that “we consider it a great joy to be here at the State Kremlin Palace for the traditional celebration held by the Russian Orthodox Church on the occasion of the greatest Christian feast, the Holy Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ. For us it is doubly gratifying that, at the initiative of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, today’s celebration is also devoted to the epoch-making event which is the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as state religion in Armenia. Friendship between the Russian and Armenian people is God-pleasing and ever blessed, for it serves the good, light and peace”.

The concert, which consisted of four parts – Radiant Feast, Armenia, Russian and ‘Shine, shine forth…’, was performed by the mail choir of St. Sergious Laura of the Trinity and the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary, the Russian National Academic Chamber Choir, the Kostroma ballet team, the Armenian National Academic Capella, the Armenian National Dancing Team and other performers. The songs and dances were accompanied with video shows of Russian and Armenian shrines.