On Good Friday, all churches commemorated the crucifixion and death of the Lord


The clergy read from the four Gospels the episodes that describe Jesus' last hours on earth: the gospel passages of His being taken to Pilate, his crucifixion on Golgotha, His death, and the solar eclipse. The scenes of betrayal, arrest, and condemnation described in the four Gospels express the manifestations of Christ's human and divine essences: human suffering and pain, and his forgiveness of those who crucified him on the cross.

 

A festive liturgy was served on the occasion of Palm Sunday at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church in Yerevan


Spreading garments before Jesus symbolized confessing sins to Christ. Offering branches and twigs signifies special honors and solemnity. The olive tree was perceived as a symbol of wisdom, peace, victory, and glory. Offering olive and palm branches to Christ after raising Lazarus from the dead symbolized victory over death.

The construction of the new church in Dilijan, initiated by Ruben Vardanyan, has resumed through donations


Ruben Vardanyan considered the construction of this church as part of the comprehensive development plan for Dilijan, considering it a symbol of the spiritual and cultural revival of the city. Vardanyan started the project in 2014. After Vardanyan was illegally detained by Azerbaijan, his wife continued the project. The central dome church is being built with local travertine. It will have a height of 37 m. height and will occupy an area of ​​375 square meters. The two bell towers will be located on both sides of the dome, on gable roofs. The facade of the church will be decorated with the alphabet and biblical texts. More than 300 people can be in the spacious hall of the newly built church at the same time.
The construction of the new church in Dilijan, initiated by Ruben Vardanyan, has been resumed through donations
Ruben Vardanyan considered the construction of this church as part of the comprehensive development program of Dilijan, considering it a symbol of the spiritual and cultural revival of the city. Vardanyan started the project in 2014. After Vardanyan was illegally detained by Azerbaijan, his wife continued the project. The central dome church is being built with local travertine. It will have a 37 m. height and will occupy an area of ​​375 square meters. The two bell towers will be located on both sides of the dome, on gable roofs. The facade of the church will be decorated with the alphabet and biblical texts. The spacious hall of the newly built church can accommodate more than 300 people at a time.

 

The Church of the Holy Mother of God of the spiritual leadership of the Armed Forces, is being renovated


Large-scale construction work is currently underway at the Holy Mother of God Church of the Spiritual Leadership of the Armed Forces. The architectural department of the Mother See has discussed the scope of the work and what needs to be done with state structures. The roof of the church will be completely renovated, foundation and wall reinforcement work will be carried out, after which interior decoration work will begin.
 

During the Lent period, on Fridays, there will be a Divine Liturgy


During the Lent period, on Fridays, Rest services  will be held, and on Wednesday mornings, at Sunset service
Evening Peace and Rest services are held before sunset, symbolizing the burial of Christ, his descent into hell, and the deliverance of the righteous from torment. The clergy ask for peace and tranquility for the soul of a person burdened by daily sins.
 

Rehabilitation center for children displaced from Artsakh opened in Yerevan


The program is implemented with the funding of the "SOS Christians of the East" organization. The newly opened center will provide free services to children with cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, and other congenital and acquired abnormalities. The doors will also be open to children in need of a kinesiologist, psychologist, or speech therapist, without age restrictions. The center was opened with the blessing and guidance of Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese.

New appointments of clergy have been made by the patriarchal order of the Catholicos of All Armenians


His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, having been relieved of his duties as Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States, has been appointed to serve as the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, and Patriarchal Delegate to India and the Far East. Rev. Fr. Shnorhk Sargsyan, having been relieved of his duties in the Patriarchal Delegation to Western Europe and has been appointed to serve in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin as Deputy Director of the Training Programs for Clergy and Youth. Rev. Fr. Gabriel Vardanyan, having been relieved of his duties in the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary, has been appointed to serve in the Armenian Diocese of Canada.

The Diocese of Kotayk organizes a Christmas celebration for children every year


The social department of the Kotayk diocese implements various programs. Through their daily work, the clergy personally know people in need, including families displaced from Artsakh and resettled in various communities of Kotayk in recent years. Various support programs are implemented for them.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the naming and baptism of Jesus Christ


On the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a Divine Liturgy is celebrated in all Armenian churches, and the day before, at the end of the evening service, a pre-Christmas ceremony is held. On this feast, the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke is read in all Armenian churches. Just as the day of the birth of the Son of God, January 6, is unchanging, so is the day of His naming and baptism.

Christmas Candlelight Liturgy celebrated at the Mother Cathedral


The liturgy of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The pre-Christmas service was celebrated with the singing of Christmas hymns and the reading of the Gospel prophecies announcing the birth of the Son of God. Lighting lanterns and candles, the faithful took the blessed good news to their homes and passed on the joyful news of Christmas to each other.

The gala concert marking the 30th anniversary of the Youth Center was held at the Sundukyan National Academic Theater


The students of the Armenian Youth Houses of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian General Benevolent Union presented all branches of performing arts at the National Academic Theater: song, dance, classical and national instruments, theater and circus. About 500 young people of different ages from eight Armenian Youth Houses operating in the communities of Armenia performed a common concert program. It was planned to be organized a year ago, in September. The anniversary concert was postponed due to the forced displacement in Artsakh.

The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received the priests of the training course


The December gathering of the priests’ training program has concluded at the Mother See. On that occasion, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received the priests from the dioceses of Armenia and the Diaspora participating in the course. For almost two years, dozens of priests have been undergoing a three-week period of prayer, reflection, and knowledge renewal at Holy Etchmiadzin.