Bishop’s Message for the Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God
Image: Gospel by Toros Roslin, 13th century
Սիրելի՛ մայրեր և քույրեր,
Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց։
Զատկական այս լուսավոր շրջանում մեր Եկեղեցին նշում է Սուրբ Աստվածածնի Ավետման տոնը՝ որպես հավատքի, սիրո և մայրության սրբազան խորհրդի հիշեցում (Ղուկաս 1․26–38)։
Այս օրը երախտագիտությամբ հիշում ենք բոլոր մայրերին, որոնց նվիրումով ամրանում են ընտանիքներն ու համայնքները։ Ձեր սիրո և հոգատարության միջոցով Աստծու ներկայությունը դառնում է տեսանելի մեր կյանքում։
Թող Սուրբ Աստվածածինը բարեխոս լինի եւ օրհնի բոլորիդ:
Օրհնությամբ՝
Հովակիմ եպիսկոպոս Մանուկյան
Beloved mothers and sisters,
Christ is risen!
In this joyful season of Eastertide, our Church also celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation. On this blessed occasion, we rejoice in the moment when the Archangel Gabriel brought the good news to the Holy Virgin Mary, and through her faithful “yes,” the mystery of our salvation began (Luke 1:26–38). This feast is therefore also a celebration of motherhood—of faith, courage, sacrifice, and love offered in complete trust to God. In her words, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), we see the model of faithful obedience that opens the way to salvation.
Today, we give thanks for all mothers and women whose quiet strength sustains families and communities. Their care, often unseen, becomes the foundation upon which hope is built and life is nurtured. As the Apostle teaches us, love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7). Your role is especially important and deeply appreciated, particularly within our diaspora communities.
In this spirit, we also recall a small yet deeply touching act of charity carried out this Easter. In helping a vulnerable mother care for her children during a time of hardship, compassion was made visible. Such a gesture, though simple, reflects the very heart of the Gospel—“I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13). Through such acts of kindness, the love of God is revealed in the world, for “faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).
One of those who helped organise this modest yet meaningful support, and who wished to remain unnamed, expressed it beautifully: “It was the power of Mary The Mother of Mothers, and of Jesus to align it All in this universe, and bring it to the attention of many on a day of Resurrection, on Easter Sunday.”
The Annunciation reminds us that even the smallest “yes” offered in faith can bear great fruit. In the same way, every act of mercy, every hand extended in support, becomes a living sign of God’s presence among us. As our Lord says, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
May the Holy Mother of God intercede for and strengthen all mothers. May she inspire us to live with compassion, to support one another, and to become bearers of hope in our communities.
With prayers and blessings
Bishop Hovakim Manukyan