“Christ is risen — and in His Resurrection, death no longer has the final word.”

Dublin, 12 April 2026 — The Armenian faithful gathered in Christ Church Taney in joy and prayer to celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection with Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The celebration took place at the church where the Armenian community regularly assembles for worship and where the St Hripsime Armenian School is based.

This year’s celebration held particular significance, as it coincided with the observance of Easter according to the Old Calendar, when many Eastern  Orthodox Churches throughout the world proclaim the Resurrection of Christ. 

During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Hovakim reflected on the enduring message of Easter in a world marked by uncertainty, suffering, and trial. He reminded the faithful that the Resurrection of Christ reveals a profound truth: that death does not have the final word, and that pain and suffering are not the end of the human story. In the midst of contemporary challenges, he encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in hope, trusting that the light of the Resurrection transforms even the darkest moments of life.

Emphasising the apostolic foundation of the Christian faith, Bishop Hovakim noted that the accounts of the Resurrection have been handed down by the Apostles, who were themselves eyewitnesses of the Risen Lord. Their testimony, he said, calls each generation to a living faith rooted in truth and witness.

He further invited the faithful to draw inspiration from the example of the myrrh-bearing women, whose faithfulness, courage, and readiness led them to the empty tomb. In their devotion and unwavering love, they became the first witnesses of the Resurrection — a model for all Christians called to live with faith, perseverance, and spiritual vigilance.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a Hokehankist (Requiem Service) was offered for the souls of the departed, entrusting them to the mercy and eternal life granted through Christ’s Resurrection. The celebration continued with a joyful Easter luncheon, where the Bishop and members of the community gathered in fellowship, sharing in the Paschal joy that unites the Church as one body in Christ.

The day stood as a powerful witness to the living faith of the Armenian Church in Ireland — a faith rooted in the Resurrection, sustained by tradition, and renewed in every generation.