The clergy of the Aragatsotn Diocese held a joint service in the Parpi Church


The clergy of the diocese and pilgrims prayed together for the unjustly imprisoned clergy, prisoners, missing persons, the repose of the Armenian Patriarch and the steadfastness of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Next Friday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m., the joint service will take place in the St. Hakob Church in the village of Vardenis, Aparan region.
 

Defense attorney files motion to dismiss Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan's case because there is no object of crime


At the court hearing on the case of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, defense attorney Arsen Babayan filed a motion to dismiss the case and stop the criminal prosecution of the Archbishop. The attorney argued that there is no object of crime, and the Archbishop did not commit the act he is accused of. The court rejected the motion, stating that the evidence must be examined. The prosecutor filed a motion to detain Archbishop Arshak, but the court left the preventive measure unchanged.
 

The miraculous Gospel of Shuriskhan was moved to the St. Gevorg Church in Mughni


The faithful at the St. Gevorg Church in Mughni communed with the power emanating from the miraculous Gospel of Shuriskhan during the Divine Liturgy. For more than 25 years, the Gospel of Shuriskhan has been moved to the St. Gevorg Church. With the blessing of the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, the clergy of the St. Gevorg Church are keeping the tradition intact.
 

The relic of St. Stepanos the Protodeacon has been transferred from the Mother See to the Mastara Church


By the Patriarchal direction of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the relic of St. Stepanos the Protodeacon has been transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the St. John Church in Mastara. A Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary


On the occasion of the Feast of the Annunciation, a Liturgy was served in the Mother Cathedral, at the end of which a blessing ceremony was performed for women awaiting the joy of motherhood. The wives of deacons who are awaiting the birth of their children also received a blessing. By the high decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, April 7 was declared the Day of Blessing for Women Awaiting the Joy of Motherhood. The holiday is dedicated to the evangelical story, when the Archangel Gabriel visits the Holy Virgin Mary and announces that the Son of God will be born from her.
 

Holy and Immortal Liturgy of Remembrance of the Dead was Served in the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin


The purpose of this sacred ceremony is to remember the departed and bring the good news of the great holiday of Resurrection to their souls. His Holiness the Patriarch declared April 6, the day of the martyrdom of Catholicos Khoren Muradbekyan, the day of remembrance of the clergy martyred during the communist dictatorship. On the initiative of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, a memorial wall was built to immortalize their memory, where the names of the martyrs are recorded.
 

Spiritual care in medical centers


Many medical centers in Armenia have prayer rooms or chapels. Patients, nurses, doctors, and staff members in the system consider the presence of a clergyman, a prayer room, a chapel, or a prayer corner in the hospital a necessity. The need for a clergyman is felt by seriously ill patients, relatives of patients, and doctors themselves. The presence of a chapel in medical centers is widespread in European countries and the United States.

The faithful people today once again heard the life-giving gospel from the lips of His Holiness


The greatest miracle in history, the Resurrection of Christ, brings thousands of Armenians to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This day is a holiday of universal joy and rebirth. The faithful people participate in the Patriarchal Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral, receive the message of His Holiness and once again hear from the lips of the Patriarch the life-giving gospel: “Christ is risen from the dead.”
 

The Parable of the Ten Virgins was Presented at the Evening Service at the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin on Holy Tuesday


A symbolic ceremony is held in churches on Holy Tuesday. The ten virgins are represented by scribes, children, or soldiers. They are divided into two groups: the wise and the foolish. The candles burning in their hands symbolize the light of faith. The candles that go out during the ceremony symbolize the Gospel episode when the oil in the lamps of five of the virgins runs out. This year, judo athletes wore T-shirts to present the Gospel story of Holy Tuesday in the Mother Cathedral.

On the day of Palm Sunday, during the evening service, the Opening of the Doors ceremony was performed


The Patriarch of All Armenians blessed those present during the Opening of the Doors ceremony. During the ceremony, a dialogue takes place between the clergy kneeling in front of the closed altar and those behind the curtain. The veiled altar symbolizes the heavenly kingdom. People experience the event expected at the end of the world, when the doors of the kingdom of God will be opened and the righteous will enter it.
 

An open painting lesson dedicated to the Feast of Palm Sunday was held at the Mother See


Students of the Youth Center arrived in Etchmiadzin under the leadership of Archimandrite Harutyun Kirakosyan. After the painting and chalk drawing, a festive concert was held on the territory of the Mother See, where the drummers of the Youth Center, dance groups, and students of the circus school performed. The students of the Youth Center met with Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness blessed the children.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the memory of Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem - Palm Sunday


With the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the feast of Palm Sunday has been declared a day of blessing of children. After the morning service in the Mother See, the ceremony of the Andastan and the order of blessing of children took place under the presiding authority of the Armenian Patriarch. His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, conveyed his blessing to the children, after which the willow branches blessed during the Andastan were distributed to the faithful. His Holiness presented the children with crosses. The Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians.