1978 Holy Etchmiadzin Christmas Card, Signed

A formal Christmas greeting card issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the Nativity of 1978, bearing the pontifical seal of the Catholicos of All Armenians on the cream cover with gold embossed patriarchal regalia and the inscription ՄՈՒՐԲ ԾՆՈՒՆԴ 1978. The interior reproduces a richly colored Armenian manuscript miniature framed in gold dotwork, depicting the Madonna and Child surrounded by angels and magi in the distinctive flat-perspective style of medieval Armenian illumination. A hand-lettered Armenian blessing in blue ink runs across the left panel, accompanied by Vazgen I's own signature dated 1978.

Vazgen I (1955-1994) was the Catholicos of All Armenians for 39 years, one of the longest reigns in the church's 1,700-year history. A Romanian-born philosopher who became the spiritual head of a scattered diaspora nation operating under Soviet rule, he spent decades using Etchmiadzin as both a religious center and a quiet assertion of Armenian national survival. These Christmas cards went out annually to clergy, dignitaries, and community leaders across the diaspora, each hand-signed by the Catholicos himself.

Good vintage condition. Card shows light surface wear and minor handling creases. Interior clean with vivid ink. Miniature reproduction bright and intact.