The feast of St. George was celebrated in the church of the Garnahovit community of the Aragatsotn diocese


Pilgrims participated in the Liturgy and experienced the mystery of the sacred ceremony at the St. George Church in Garnahovit. The church was renovated in 2017. The feast day of St. George was declared the day of the feast of the Holy Church in Garnahovit. On that occasion, the relic of St. George was transferred from the Mother See to the church so that the faithful could receive his power.

17 students from the Youth Centers in Malatia received awards at the "Universe Art 2025" festival


About 600 children aged 5-18 participated in the international festival. In the final round, an exhibition was opened at the Artists' Union of Armenia, then a solemn award ceremony and a gala concert were held in the hall of the Armenian-Slavonic University. 17 students from the two classes of Painting of the Youth Centers of Malatia returned with awards, eight of them took 1st place.

A festive liturgy was served at the Holy Cross Church in Arabkir


A festive Liturgy was served at the Holy Cross Church in Arabkir on the occasion of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Holy Cross in Arabkir was built on the initiative of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with the philanthropy of Louise Simone Manukyan. The architect of the church is Artak Ghulyan.

 

Participants of the procession in Gyumri prayed for Bishops Michael and Bagrat, and for Samvel Karapetyan


The participants of the procession, led by Father Makar Galamdaryan and Father Hakob Grigoryan, walked to the Holy Nshan Church with prayers, hymns, and spiritual songs. Near the Holy Mother of God Yot Verk Church, the participants of the procession prayed for the speedy release of Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, Samvel Karapetyan, and other detainees. With the blessing of the Primate of the Shirak Diocese, Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, the Pre-Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross has already become a tradition.

 

Father Aram Asatran has never appealed to any church authority regarding problems


The Diocese of Aragatsotn publishes a clarification regarding the issue of Father Aram Asatran, according to which the scandal began with the fact of the distortion of the ritual order and the arbitrariness shown by the Father during the Baptism ceremony. Father Aram was subjected to a disciplinary reprimand by the Diocesan Primate. The Father accepted and fulfilled the Primate’s instructions and continues his service in Hovhannavank. Then, Father Aram initiated his famous publications.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast of the Birth of the Mother of God


A festive liturgy was celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most important links in the chain of salvation of humanity. Pilgrims and believers who arrived at the Mother Cathedral participated in the sacred ceremony, the rite of confession, and received communion.

The 12th International Festival of Contemporary Art and Spiritual Films "Fresco" was held


It is a unique platform in the cultural life of Armenia, which combines art, spiritual, and humanitarian values. The festival was held from August 18 to September 5. In a number of cities of Lori and Kotayk regions and in Yerevan, people participated in concert evenings, which were followed by film viewings and discussions. The festival selected films that emphasize spiritual and humanitarian values, which preach love, kindness, peace, and perseverance in overcoming difficulties.

 

The architect presented a project to restore the St. Gevorg Church in Karashambi


The St. Gevorg Church of Karashambi is an exceptional structure. Partial excavations were last carried out in 1983. It now needs preservation, reinforcement and display. Only the northern part of the structure, with a cross-winged dome, is standing. The prayer house is built of black and light brown polished tuff. No solid information has been preserved about the date of construction. However, it is known that such a layout is typical of 7th century churches. The entrance and decoration of the structure also allowed experts to conclude that the prayer house was built in the 7th century.

The cross bearing the relics of the Apostle Thomas has been moved from the Mother See to the Holy Mother of God Church in Hrazdan


The memory of the apostles Thomas, James, and Simon was celebrated at the Holy Mother of God Church in the Vanatur district of Hrazdan. The faithful participated in the Cross procession, which started from both sides of the city. With the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the cross bearing the relics of the apostle Thomas was brought to Hrazdan from the vault of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

A liturgy was served at the Church of the Holy Mother of God on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary


The sacred ceremony was accompanied by Bible readings, admonitions, sermons, and prayers. After receiving communion, the faithful participated in the Blessing of the Grapes. This ceremony blesses the harvest and goodness of the entire year.

The relic of the Cross of Jesus Christ has been transferred from the Mother See to St. Thaddeus Church


On August 2, a Liturgy was celebrated in the St. Thaddeus Church in the city of Masis on the occasion of the commemoration of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and the Virgin Sandukht. In response to the appeal of the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, His Grace Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, the relic of the Cross of Jesus Christ was brought from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the St. Thaddeus Church.

In Gyumri, believers made a pilgrimage from St. Jacob Church to the Holy Savior Church


With the blessing of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese, a pilgrimage was held from Gyumri’s St. Hakob Church to the Holy Saviour Church on the eve of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Before the pilgrimage, the faithful participated in the evening service and general confession at the St. Hakob Church. Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan noted that the purpose of the pilgrimage is self-purification and spiritual healing. The priest urged the faithful to never despair, to pray and not to doubt the power of prayer.