11.05.2025/Amsterdam
The ceremonial opening of the monument to the great Armenian thinker, poet and theologian St. Gregory of Narek, took place in the heart of Amsterdam, in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The event was attended by members of the community of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Spirit, representatives of sister churches, as well as spiritual and cultural leaders of the city.
During this ecumenical ceremony, the audience heard the messages of the Primate of the Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, Bishop Jan Hendriks, the delegate of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Archbishop Khajak Parsamyan, the Dean of Amsterdam, Eric Fenis, as well as the authors of the initiative, Vahan Avagyan, the head of the St. Gregory of Narek Amsterdam Foundation, and Rafael Hovhannisyan, the president of the Pan-Armenian Geographical Society.
The participants emphasized the historical and spiritual significance of the monument, considering it a symbol of strengthening ties between the Armenian community and Amsterdam. It was noted that this monument with the image of Narekatsi will become a place of pilgrimage for Armenians living far from their homeland, as well as attract the attention of Armenian tourists and locals visiting the Netherlands.
The uniqueness of the location of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in the city center will allow visitors not only to get acquainted with the symbols of Armenian culture, but also to light a candle to pay tribute to the immortal literary heritage of Narekatsi.
“Today, a new page is opening in the heart of our community. St. Gregory of Narek, with his universal humanitarian and spiritual message, will connect cultural bridges between Armenia and the Netherlands,” said Vahan Avagyan.
The event ended with a joint prayer of the faithful and the traditional ceremony of lighting candles at the image of Narekatsi in the cathedral. In the near future, the monument will become a place of contemplation and spiritual rest not only for Armenians, but also for all visitors, continuing the legacy of spreading the love, wisdom, and faith of Narekatsi.
