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Feast of Apparition of Holy Etchmiadzin marked on Saturday
The Armenian Apostolic Church observes the Feast of Apparition (Shoghakat) of Holy Etchmiadzin on Saturday prior to the Feast of the Assumption.
Shoghakat refers to the vision of the rays of light seen by St. Gregory when God chose the site for the Mother Cathedral. 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” on the Hripsimiants virgins.
The foundation was laid in 301 A.D and the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin was consecrated in 303 A.D on the day of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.
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