Last Sunday 17 December 2023, the Armenian Church commemorated St. James of Nisibis; one of the authoritative and beloved saints of the Church, who is considered to be a nephew of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
St. James (known as Hagop in Armenian), was a signatory at the Council of Nicaea in 325, which devised the Nicene Creed (the Havadamk). He is also known as the first Christian to have searched for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat.
On the occasion of St James Day, blessings took place of all parishioners who bear the names of Hagop, Jacob, Jacques and James. The namesakes then took part in a procession that included a beautiful artefact, found by renowned alpinist Tito de Luco, commemorating St James’ divine vision on Mt Ararat.
