Author Anna Tamrazyan

On July 23, a liturgy was served at the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary in the village of Arevshat, Masyatsotn Diocese, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the sanctuary.

During the ceremony, the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, delivered a sermon.

On July 18, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the commemoration of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Sandukht the Virgin, daughter of King Sanatruk, the first Armenian martyr.

In the St. Thaddeus Chapel of the Candlelight Prayer Hall of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where the sacred relics of the apostle are enshrined, Father Grigor Hovhannisyan celebrated a liturgy with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

The clergy and the faithful prayed for the strengthening of faith and the peaceful life of the Armenian world.

The "Narek" Dance School of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and AGBU Youth Center has returned victorious from the International Performing Arts Festival held in Pineto, Italy, winning the Grand Prix, the main prize.

Among the groups from 12 countries, only the "Narek" Dance School participated from Armenia, with a 20-member team, presenting the performances "Tsaghkadzor" and "Khio".

All these performances, tours and victories of the ensemble, which regularly performs in different countries and returns with victories, are preceded and followed by long, persistent work.

Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received about 30 young people who arrived from the Diaspora to the Mother See to participate in Armenology and religious studies courses.

The aim of the courses, which are now in their second year, is to promote the knowledge of the Armenian language and history of young people living abroad and to strengthen their connection with the spiritual and cultural heritage of the homeland.

During the meeting with the Armenian Patriarch, the young people introduced themselves and told about themselves, and His Holiness urged them to use the knowledge they have acquired to strengthen national and church life in communities around the world.

The “TaLuys” Children’s and Youth Choir celebrated its 10th anniversary with a concert titled “Dedication” in the hall of the Tavush Diocese Prelacy in Ijevan on the day of the Transfiguration.

The choir was founded by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who watched the anniversary concert remotely, as he is under house arrest.

Under the leadership of artistic director Maria Galstyan and producer Tovmas Urarakir Arakelyan, the choir has performed at the “Starmus” festival, the closing ceremony of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and starred in musical films during its 10-year uninterrupted activity.

On July 12, on the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Vardavar), the Primate of the Diocese of Syunik, Bishop Makar Hakobyan, reconsecrated the Mother Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Goris.

With the support of the “SOS Christians of the East” organization, extensive interior decoration works were carried out in the sanctuary: the walls, aisles, drum and dome were renovated.

From now on, Father Aharon Melkumyan and Father Tigran Hakobyan will continue their spiritual ministry in the reopened church.

On July 12, on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, a festive liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. 

During his speech, the liturgist Karekin Vardapet Hambardzumyan referred to the commemoration of Christ appearing to the disciples in divine glory on Mount Tabor, noting that every day can provide an opportunity for transformation. 

At the end of the ceremony, the Armenian Patriarch blessed the people on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration.

The end-of-year exhibition of students of the painting and decorative-applied arts classes of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the AGBU Nork Armenian Children's Home opened, where the achievements and joint creative efforts of gifted children were brought together.

Despite the temptations of modern technologies, thanks to the joint work of educators and parents, the young people create with great enthusiasm and connect with national art. 

At the opening of the exhibition, the director of the center, Aida Andriasyan, presented certificates to the graduates, and awards and certificates to the students who distinguished themselves in competitions during the year.

A week-long spiritual backyard camp was organized at the St. Harutyun Church in the Dvin community of the Ararat region of the Masyatsotn diocese on the initiative of Father Yeghishe Nurijanyan, which included children from Dvin and nearby settlements.

The organization of this phase was initially supported by members of the church community, and the new group program, starting on July 20, will be implemented jointly with the Round Table Foundation of the World Council of Churches.

The Malatia Armenian Children’s Home has been completely renovated with the support of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and it bears the name of the benefactor family, Levon and Victoria Shaljian, the Malatia Armenian Children’s Home. A few months ago, the Armenian Children’s Home had 280 students. After the move, the number of visitors has increased dramatically, reaching 600. The newly opened swimming pool has aroused particular interest. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II visited the newly opened facility and gave his blessing.