At the end of September, the Miuron (Chrism) will be blessed at Holy Etchmiadzin. This service,  unique to the Armenian Orthodox Church, dates back to the time of St. Gregory the Illuminator (4th Century). Every 7 years the Miuron is blessed by the Catholicos.
The preparation process begins 40 days prior to the blessing. Pictured, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos, offers the first prayers over the Miuron to be consecrated on September 28.
Below is a press release - announcing the beginning of the preparations. Please check out the referenced site below for more information and details. I'll add updates to this blog during the next 40 days.
PRESS RELEASE Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian Tel: +374-10-517163 Fax: +374-10-517301 E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am Website: www.armenianchurch.org August 28, 2008 Services Leading to the Blessing of the Holy Muron On Tuesday, August 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the first of 40 prayer services, which will culminate in the Blessing of the Holy Muron (Chrism) scheduled for September 28 of this year. The prayer service, which begins a 40-day process of psalms, hymns, scripture readings and prayers, took place following Evening Vesper Services in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The cauldron, which contains the Holy Muron, was placed on the bema of the Holy Altar the previous evening, filled with pure olive oil. Pure olive oil is the first of the three primary substances that are mixed with the many additional aromatic and floral ingredients, following the blessing of which is transformed into the Muron. For the subsequent 39 days, the members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, will follow the same procedure according to the ancient Canons of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church. The 40-day countdown began with His Holiness ascending the Altar of Holy Etchmiadzin and reading from the Gospel of St. Mark. The Catholicos then read the main prayer dedicated to the blessing of Muron. His Holiness stated in his remarks, that he wishes for all faithful of the Armenian Church to raise their prayers to the Almighty during this period of prayer and preparation for Sunday, September 28, which also happens to be the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag. The faithful of the Armenian Church are invited to join in prayer during these coming days as Holy Muron is prepared for use in Armenian Churches in Armenia and throughout the Diaspora. For further updates and schedule of events surrounding the festivities, the faithful are encouraged to visit the website of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, www.armenianchurch.org, to follow the progress and learn new facts surrounding the Blessing of the Holy Muron. ##
 
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