Bishop Hovakim Celebrates the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross at St Yeghiche Church

On Sunday, 25 October 2026, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St Yeghiche Armenian Church in London and delivered a message marking the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross.

Reflecting on the tradition of Saint Helena’s discovery of the Cross in Jerusalem, Bishop Hovakim invited the faithful to rediscover the meaning of the Cross in their own lives, beneath the worries and distractions of everyday life.

Drawing on Saint Paul’s words that the message of the Cross is “the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18), His Grace spoke of Christ’s victory through self-giving love, forgiveness and the Resurrection. He encouraged the congregation to carry their own crosses with faith and to support those facing illness, bereavement, loneliness and hardship.

“Let us love, forgive and serve, trusting that our crucified and risen Lord walks with us along this road,” Bishop Hovakim urged.

Reflecting also on the Gospel reading from Matthew 24:27–36, His Grace called for repentance and renewed faith, affirming that suffering and death do not have the final word: in Christ, love, truth and life prevail.