FEAST OF SHOGHAKAT OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

This Saturday, August 16, is the Feast of Shoghakat of Holy Etchmiadzin that is always observed on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the Assumption. Shoghakat refers to the vision of the rays of light when God chose the site for the Mother Cathedral. St. Gregory the Illuminator had the vision at the place where St. Mariane, one of the Hripsimiants virgins, had been martyred. The feast is celebrated at the time of Assumption because the Cathedral in Etchmiadzin is named in honor of the Holy Mother, although through the years it became known as Etchmiadzin. The name of St. Shoghakat was given to the church, according to tradition, because it was built where “the divine light had shed” (shogh gatadz er) on the Hripsimiants virgins.