17 September 2013
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On September 17, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside over the Consecration of the newly built Diocesan Cathedral of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia and the opening ceremony of the Cultural Cathedral Complex in Moscow.
The magnificent Diocesan Cathedral Complex of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia is situated at the crossroads of Olympic and Trifonova streets, and covers 1.32 acres of space and includes the Diocesan Cathedral, the Holy Cross Church; the Diocesan headquarters building, and additional educational-cultural and administrative buildings. It also houses a treasury house and events auditorium.
The building project of the Diocesan Cathedral and complex, which stands at a height of 50 meters, started in 2004 and the construction process began in 2006 through the sponsorship of faithful Armenians in Russia. The architect of the building is Artak Ghulyan and the chief builder is Hovhannes Meyroyan.
Engraved on the tetra- altared dome of the Cathedral are crosses devoted to the remembrance of the 72 Disciples of Christ. The Cathedral and the whole church complex give the visitors an idea of Armenian architecture with its angles, various ornaments and crosses, and the bas-reliefs adorning the Cathedral presenting different instances of the history of the Armenian people such as the invention of the alphabet, adoption of Christianity, the struggle for the faith and Homeland, etc. The upper portion of the Cathedral entrance is adorned with a relief sculpture of Jesus Christ, on the left and right sides the major sanctities of the Armenian Church are illustrated: the Holy Lance; and the symbol of the Pontifical throne, the Right of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The interior of the Cathedral is embellished with unique frescoes depicting the saints of the Bible and the Armenian Church.
Inside the two open altar alcoves of the Holy Cross Church are the inscribed memorials devoted to Armenian writing and faith. Within the grounds of the complex there is also a plaque commemorating the friendly relations between the Armenian and Russian people.
Source: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
(Start of the Divine Liturgy of the Consecration Service of the new Mother Cathedral and Diocesan Headquarters of the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhichevan and Russia.)
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