Message from Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury
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Dame Sarah Mullaly, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has sent a message of congratulations to St Yeghiche Armenian Church in London as it marked 25 years since its consecration.
Worshippers and guests gathered at St Yeghiche Church on Sunday, 11 October, for a Divine Liturgy and an evening concert of sacred music. The celebrations also marked the Feast of the Holy Translators, honouring the saints whose work helped establish Armenia’s Christian literary tradition.
Dame Sarah Mullaly, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has sent a message of congratulations which was read by Bishop Christopher Cocksworth, Dean of Windsor, following a reading of HM King Charles III’s commendation.
Message from Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury on the 25th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Yeghiche Armenian Church
Your Grace, dear Brother in Christ,
It gives me great joy to send my warmest greetings to you, the clergy and the whole Armenian community gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the consecration of St Yeghiche Armenian Church.
For a quarter of a century, St Yeghiche has been a place of prayer, worship and - a spiritual home for the Armenian faithful and a living expression Christian witness of the rich heritage of one of the world's most ancient Christian traditions. On this joyful anniversary, I give thanks to God for all those who have worshipped, served and borne witness to Christ here over these twenty-five years.
I am especially grateful for the friendship between our Churches and for your own steadfast commitment to Christian unity. It is a privilege to serve alongside you as fellow Presidents of Churches Together in England, and I give thanks for the contribution you continue to make to the common witness of the churches in this country. Your ministry reminds us that Christian unity is not an optional addition to the life of the Church, but belongs to our obedience to Christ and to his prayer that his disciples may be one.
At a time when our world is so often marked by division and uncertainty, that shared witness matters deeply. Our churches are called not only to speak of reconciliation, but to embody it in our relationships, our prayer and our common service.
As you celebrate this significant milestone, I pray that St Yeghiche will continue to be a place where faith is nourished, hope renewed and the love of Christ made known to generations yet to come.
May God bless you and all the Armenian faithful in this country, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and communion between us.
With my prayers and warmest greetings in Christ,
+Sarah Cantuar
Archbishop of Canterbury