Author Anush Arakelyan

The Harichavank Monastery is undergoing diagnostic, cleaning, restoration, and conservation work on the “Odigitria” fresco, created in 1235. 

After solving the waterproofing and humidity problems, architect Ara Zaryan and Belgian specialist Christine Lamouret are working on strengthening the preserved parts of the fresco. 

It is planned to reproduce the original, complete appearance of the fresco through artificial intelligence and light projection.

The relic of the Cross of the Lord was kept in Hayravank until the 18th century, then due to the earthquake, the monks of the monastery moved the relic to Echmiadzin. The relic returned to Hayravank for the first time since the 19th century in 2018, opening a new chapter in the monastery’s modern history and laying the foundation for the annual pilgrimage tradition.

After completing their four-year education, students from Sevan's Vazgenyan Seminary receive a bachelor's degree and have the opportunity to continue their studies at any university in Armenia. Statistics show that the majority of graduates prefer to continue their studies at the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary. This year, 67 students are studying in six classrooms, 11 of whom have graduated from the religious institution.

The academic year was concluded by 67 students, 11 of whom are graduates of the seminary and have already been ordained deacons. At the end of the event, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed the pontifical message and blessing to those present, highly appreciating the diligent work of the inspection staff of the religious educational institutions of the Mother See. His Holiness emphasized that each academic year is a new page of success recorded in the history of the educational institution.

On July 1, the “Promise” project was officially launched at the Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran, the brainchild of Armen Ghazaryan, director of the “Promise” Foundation. The goal is to create handmade silver and gold crosses from a specially developed alloy.

Each cross contains crushed particles of blessed stones collected from various holy sites. 

Part of the proceeds from the sale of the crosses will be directed through the “Promise” Foundation to implement educational, cultural and other public benefit programs.

On June 1, the RA Administrative Court satisfied the claim of the Armenian Apostolic Church against the Interior Ministry Police, recognizing the latter’s inaction as unlawful. 

The case concerns the situation in the St. Hovhannavank Monastery of the Aragatsotn Diocese. The former pastor of the monastery, defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan, has been illegally occupying the complex for months, has not returned the keys to his official apartment, and has been conducting rituals that are invalid and illegal according to church rules. 

The legal process to evict the defrocked priest from Hovhannavank is not yet complete, and other legal steps are still expected.

Former clergyman Aramayis Takhmazyan stated in court that in 2023 he and several clergymen were forced to participate in rallies organized by the opposition. According to him, he participated so that he would not receive a reprimand in the future or the attitude towards him would not change. The dismissed priest confirmed that they were simply present at the rallies, they did not make any calls, they did not direct people to any action. He avoided answering the defense attorneys' question about whether the presence of the clergymen had a restraining or pacifying effect on the participants at the rallies or not.

 

The Court of Appeals overturned the verdict of the first instance court on the grounds of violation of the rules of jurisdiction. The court noted that the case was heard in a court without jurisdiction or that there was a significant procedural violation regarding jurisdiction. The proceedings will be transferred to the Shirak Region Court of First Instance for a new hearing. This does not mean that the Court of Appeals has examined the issue of guilt or innocence. The decision concerns the procedural issue of which court had jurisdiction to hear the case.

 

 

According to the results of periodic sociological surveys conducted by the “Arar” Civilization Research Foundation since 2023, the most trusted institutions are the Armed Forces with an index of 69.6 percent and the Armenian Apostolic Church with an index of 65.3 percent. The director of the foundation, Armen Khachikyan, summarized the results of the research of “Arar” and other international institutions in the collection entitled “The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the Conditions of Modern Transformations”. The work was published with the author’s editing and initiative of Father Ararat Poghosyan, director of the Tamar and Vache Manukyan Matenadaran of the Mother See.