The weekend celebration in Almelo brought together hundreds of faithful as Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over the Divine Liturgy, blessed young parish leaders, and honored devoted service to Armenian Christian education.

Almelo, The Netherlands — During the weekend of August 15–17, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, visited St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Almelo, the Netherlands, to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God with the local Armenian faithful.

The weekend was marked by spiritual joy, vibrant community participation, and important milestones in the life of the parish.

On Saturday, August 15, Archbishop Khajag met with nine young parishioners who were presented by the pastor and the chairman of the parish council to receive his blessing as members of the newly formed Church Youth Organization Council. During the meeting, the Archbishop discussed with the new council members the importance of building a strong foundation for the organization, including the development of bylaws and the election of executive officers.

The discussion also focused on the mission of the youth organization: to create meaningful events and programs that will help young people discover the rich spiritual and cultural treasures of the Armenian Church, foster fellowship among Armenian youth, and promote outreach activities within the wider community. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Archbishop Khajag presented the new council members to the faithful and offered his blessing for their service.

On Sunday morning, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, accompanied by the parish pastor, Rev. Fr. Mashtots Baghdasaryan. Nearly 800 parishioners, children, and young people filled the church, church hall, and courtyard, reflecting the vitality and devotion of the Armenian community in Almelo.

In his sermon, Archbishop Khajag expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to celebrate one of the major feasts of the Armenian Church with the vibrant Armenian community of Almelo. He noted that the Feast of the Assumption is not only a time to remember a sacred event from the past, but also an invitation for the faithful to renew their spiritual lives and return to the divine image in which humanity was created. He emphasized that the example of St. Mary serves as a guide for all Christians on this journey back to God.

Following the spiritually uplifting Badarak, a special ceremony was held in the church hall to honor one of the parish’s most dedicated servants, Mrs. Angela Antreassian, Principal of St. Mesrob Church School. In recognition of her many years of faithful service, exemplary leadership, and devoted commitment to Armenian Christian education and community life, Archbishop Khajag presented Mrs. Antreassian with the St. Mesrob Award.

Archbishop Khajag praised Mrs. Antreassian for her unwavering dedication to the parish and for her significant contribution to the formation and education of generations of Armenian children.

The visit of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and the celebrations in Almelo offered a powerful witness to the living faith, unity, and renewed commitment of the Armenian Church community in the Netherlands.