Today is a day of new beginnings. We stand here at the heart of our faith, in a place where heaven touched earth. Holy Etchmiadzin, the very first Christian cathedral built in the world, has been renewed, restored, and reconsecrated. After centuries of standing as a beacon of hope, a symbol of God’s presence among His people, it has emerged once again, shining brighter than ever before.
As we stand in awe of its beauty, we’re reminded of something powerful: God is always at work restoring, renewing, and rebuilding our lives. We, the people of God, have been through our own season of wear and tear, like the stones of this holy church that weathered countless storms. But God promises, “I will restore the ruins and rebuild them as they were in the days of old” (Isaiah 58:12). When things seem broken when the weight of life’s challenges feels too heavy to bear, we can trust that God’s plan is to restore us, to make us stronger and more radiant than before.
The restoration of Holy Etchmiadzin didn’t happen overnight. It took time. There were layers upon layers of history, moments of triumph, and seasons of pain. And yet, here we stand, witnessing its glory. Our lives are the same way. Sometimes, we want the restoration to happen in a moment. We want God to fix everything right now. But the process of restoration takes time. And while we may not see it right away, God is at work behind the scenes.
The stones of Holy Etchmiadzin have witnessed centuries of prayers, countless cries for help, and unshakable faith. And today, these stones stand as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. And in the same way, the life of our people and our own lives are a testimony. Every struggle, every victory, every prayer—it’s all part of God’s masterpiece in us.
Friends, God has brought us to this moment not just to witness history but to remind us that He is still the God of new beginnings, still the God of restoration. And as we move forward from this day, let us carry the spirit of Holy Etchmiadzin with us—strong, enduring, and shining brightly for the world to see. Let’s trust in the One who promises that the best is yet to come.
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