Archbishop Bagrat to remain in custody: Court extends detention


The court has decided to extend the preventive measure of Archbishop Bagrat for two months. Lawyer Tatevik Soghoyan stated that this is the authorities’ response to the mass peaceful rallies that began in 2024. Defense attorney Hovhannes Khudoyan noted that there is no data in the case that would prove the illegality of the actions of Archbishop Bagrat or the other defendants or indicate any action that could have harmed anyone. Archbishop Bagrat has been in custody for about nine months.
 

Hybrid War Against Armenia: The First Front: The Armenian Church


On April 16, the US Deputy Secretary of State will visit the Armenian Embassy in the US. According to the official statement, the parties will exchange views on the implementation of the TRIPP initiative, discuss hybrid threats, the fight against disinformation, as well as issues related to religious freedom. A few days before that, the Civil Contract party published its 2026 election program, in which a separate chapter was devoted to the Armenian Church. Experts discuss the fact that this program is not only unconstitutional, but also contrary to the interests of the Armenian people and Armenia. What is the motive for the campaign against the Armenian Church in this case, and to whom is the ruling political force accountable in this matter? Anna Sargsyan spoke with political commentator Hakob Badalyan.

Holy Etchmiadzin: Father Husik Smbatyan celebrated the liturgy on Ashkharamatraն Sunday


The second Sunday of the Holy Resurrection is called Ashkharamatraն or Green Sunday. It symbolizes the great mystery of the establishment of the Christian church, when the light of Christ's resurrection spreads throughout the world, and Christ's disciples become the bearers of that light, spreading the divine word. The people have called Ashkharamatraն Sunday Green Sunday, because during this period of spring awakening, nature blooms and turns green, as does humanity, with the hope and light brought by Christ.

 

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Arrives at the Mother See


His Holiness, Father Ignatius Ephrem II, who arrived at the invitation of the Catholicos of All Armenians, prayed for the prosperity of the Armenian Church, the well-being of the Armenian people, and the establishment of peace in the region. Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, greeted His Holiness on behalf of the confraternity of the Mother See. After the consecration ceremony, a private meeting between the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Ecumenical Patriarch of the East took place in the Cathedral.
 

On the occasion of the New Sunday, members of the youth unions of various Armenian dioceses gathered in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin


On the occasion of the New Sunday, more than 650 young people welcomed the Catholicos of All Armenians with a pontifical hymn. At the request of the members of the youth unions of the dioceses of Armenia, the clergy organized the pilgrimage to the Mother See. The Catholicos of All Armenians blessed the young people and wished that they would always be in the grace of God, be bearers of the rich heritage left by our Holy Church and the holy fathers. They had the opportunity to communicate, talk about joint programs and participate in the Holy and Immortal Liturgy of the Second Advent in the Mother Cathedral.
 
 

Orthodoxy


Today, in the Christian world, there are two large groups of Orthodox churches, which have the same origins, but were divided in the 5th century. The Armenian Apostolic Church belongs to the family of the Ancient Eastern Orthodox churches, does not belong to the family of the Orthodox churches of the Byzantine tradition, and is Orthodox in the sense of true faith. Our holy patriarchs, the fathers of our church, were called defenders of Orthodoxy, Orthodox enlighteners.

The relic of St. John the Baptist was moved to the church of Mkhchyan named after the Saint


On the Saturday following the feast of the Holy Resurrection, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Baptist. On that occasion, by the special order of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the cross-shaped reliquary containing the relics of the Saint was moved from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the St. John the Baptist church of Mkhchyan. The St. John the Baptist church of Mkhchyan was reconsecrated on this feast day and the day was declared a day of the church’s vow. On that occasion, the family of Argam Abrahamyan, the benefactor of the church’s renovation, organized a feast of sacrifice.
 

Schools to be closed on the border


One more will soon be added to the dozens of worries of those living in border and remote villages. According to the order of the Ministry of Education, Science and Higher Education, schools with a small number of students must be liquidated. According to this calculation, 229 schools have appeared on the list, of which 48 are in Syunik and 47 in Shirak. We have tried to summarize what serious problems specialists and community residents see in our video.

The clash of slogans and reality in the education sector: The case of David Minasyan


According to the Investigative Committee, a public criminal prosecution has been initiated against David Minasyan in connection with the incident that took place at the St. Anna Church on March 29. Respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence and the interests of pre-investigation activities, Anna Sargsyan spoke with education expert Serob Khachatryan about the public reaction and the attitude towards the student.

Preliminary hearings in the "Holy Struggle" case have ended


In the main stage of the trial, the court will examine the presented evidence. The defense has principled objections and disagreements. According to them, not only is the evidence in the case not individualized, which does not allow us to determine who exactly the evidence refers to, but the recordings and materials included in the case have not yet been properly examined.
 

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.
 

Witness’s testimony in the case of His Holiness the Patriarch’s brother mentions Harutyun Mkrtchyan’s data


At the court hearing in the case of the brother of the Catholicos of All Armenians and his son, the defense lawyers demanded to summon to court and interrogate the police officer of the Vagharshapat community department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who conducted the interrogation of the main witness in the case, Garnik Ghazaryan. The defense suspects that Garnik Ghazaryan testified against the Nersisyans under the influence of Harutyun Mkrtchyan. According to the lawyers, there are obvious contradictions and contradictory facts between the witness’s testimony and the interrogations, but the most remarkable thing is that the personal data field of the witness in the testimony contains Harutyun Mkrtchyan’s data. The judge granted the lawyers’ motions and the police officer who interrogated the witness and the police officer accompanying the “Republic” party’s campaign will be interrogated.