The city of Echmiadzin will have a well-maintained park


One of the pro-government media outlets published a video about the city park of Etchmiadzin, which belongs to the Mother See, claiming that the residents of Etchmiadzin are deprived of the opportunity to enjoy their leisure time in green areas. In reality, large-scale landscaping works have been carried out in the Mother See. Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative and Economic Department of the Mother See, clarified the deadlines for the improvement works of the park and the reasons for the delay.

Transfiguration liturgy celebrated in the Mother Cathedral


The liturgy was served by Bishop Arshak Khachatryan. The Bishop called for clearing thoughts, dispelling the fog of the horizon. He wished that the Armenian people, shattered by the losses and pains of the war, would be strengthened by hope and faith, that dignity and honor would water our victorious path, and that the righteous hand of the Lord would weigh heavily on those who fight against God and His Holy Church. At the end of the festive liturgy, the faithful came to meet the patriarchal procession to receive the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

 

Samvel Safaryan


Samvel Safaryan was wounded three times in one day. Samvel was serving in the military in the village of Shekher, Martuni region of Artsakh, his birthplace, when the war began. The young commander was in positions with 4 snipers under his command. He was wounded for the first time while observing an enemy trench, when Azerbaijani soldiers attacked his trench and threw grenades. At that time, Samvel's right hand was wounded, the second time on the way to the hospital, and the third time in the head.

Prayers were held in the Mother Cathedral for the detained archbishops and Samvel Karapetyan


Bishop Mushegh Babayan urged the faithful to pray, as only in this way can they dispel the loneliness of the imprisoned Archbishops Bagrat and Michael, and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. The Bishop invited the faithful to ask for the Lord's support for them, so that they can overcome difficult trials and restore justice.

Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Mother Cathedral for those in prison


The liturgy held on Monday was attended by state and public figures of Artsakh, as well as family members of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Azerbaijan. Archbishop Vrtanes noted that the military-political leadership of Artsakh has been in Azerbaijani captivity for about two years, which is a more spiritual than political test for our Christians and Armenians. According to him, the enemy is judging them because they personally testify to the right of Artsakh to independence. He also called on everyone to remember in daily prayers the imprisoned Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, as well as the devoted benefactor of the church, Samvel Karapetyan.

Diaspora Armenian youth participating in Armenian studies courses were awarded certificates


Young people from the dioceses of the Diaspora participated in three weeks of Armenology and religious studies courses at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The goal of the program, launched with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians, is to unite young people around the Mother Church, giving them the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the Armenian language, Armenian history, and spiritual knowledge.

The relics of Hovhannes Karapet and Bishop Atanagineh have been transferred to the Holy Shoghakat Monastery


The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the commemoration day of Saint Hovhannes Karapet and Bishop Atanagineh. His Holiness the Patriarch, accompanied by a procession, solemnly marched from the Cathedral to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, accompanied by the singing of hymns and the faithful. The procession of clergy, accompanied by the loud sounds of drums, moved to the Holy Shoghakat Monastery, this day is also the day of the consecration of the sanctuary.

The Araratian week started with the commemoration of St. Hripse and her Companions


The Araratian week symbolizes the conversion of the Armenians and the victory of the Christian faith over paganism. The events commemorated during this week are related to the establishment of Christianity in Armenia in 301 AD and took place in the Ararat Valley, which is why the week was named "Araratian".

 

Pentecost is the feast day of the Holy Apostles Church in Sevan


In 2011, by order of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the feast of Pentecost was declared the day of the feast of the Holy Apostles Church in Sevan. The reliquary containing the relics of the apostles Matthew and Andrew was transferred from the Mother See to the Holy Apostles Church. At the end of the liturgy, the Order of the Andastan was performed, asking for the steadfastness, peace, fruitfulness, and spiritual and physical health of Armenia and the Armenian Church.

 

Students of the Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex participated in an educational service


The program is called "Hakabatsil hymns," and involves students from five schools of the educational complex. The educational complex, as an educational institution implementing alternative pedagogy, has included participation in church services in the curriculum for the past 8 years. Starting from the first grade, children are introduced to simpler spiritual and folk songs by Komitas, and in higher grades, the program becomes more complex, with students listening to and singing Narekatsi, Shnorhali, and Yekmalyan.

 

The Church of St. Karapet in the village of Akunq, Kotayk region, has been reconsecrated and reopened


The Soviet government turned the St. Karapet Church into a grain warehouse. After the collapse of the USSR, they began to restore the church. Under the patronage of Vladimir Gasparyan, St. Karapet was partially renovated in 2006, but due to dampness, two decades later it needed to be renovated again.
 

A festive liturgy was served in Tsaghkevank on the feast of the Ascension


The feast of the Ascension is the day of the Tsaghkevank vow. Some of the pilgrims participated in the liturgy outside, sitting on the steps or stones. The festive liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Father Aram Asatryan. Water drips all year round in the rock-cut monastery on the slope of Mount Ara. Pilgrims collect this water and take it to heal the sick.