Author Anush Arakelyan

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the commemoration day of Saint Abgar the Patriarch

On the occasion of the holiday, the clergy of the Aragatsotn and Artik dioceses and the faithful of the community visited the Yotverq Church in Gyumri. The celebrant was Father Hovhannes Torgomyan, a monk of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and spiritual director of the Izmirlian Medical Center. The faithful and the clergy prayed for the imprisoned Bishops Michael, Bagrat, Mkrtich, Arshak, benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, and all those illegally imprisoned.

The Patriarch's housing-construction program

Under the direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Social Services Office of the Mother See has donated 19 apartments to earthquake-affected families from Gyumri, Spitak, and other vulnerable areas over the past ten years, and provided 6 apartments to Armenian families from Artsakh. His Holiness keeps the issues of priests’ living in the center of his attention. In the summer of 2005, the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Christian charitable organization “Habitat International” announced a joint fight against homelessness in Armenia. Assistance was provided to 42 communities, 108 families regained their hope and optimism for life. The program not only helped to complete half-built buildings, but also taught people to appreciate support, to reciprocate what they received, if necessary, by extending a helping hand to another person in need.

With the assistance of the Catholicos of All Armenians, a disabled soldier will receive a prosthetic leg in India

Students of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary Defended Their Master's Theses

Father Maghakia Gevorgyan

Father Maghakia Gevorgyan, who has served in the Aragatsotn diocese for more than 25 years, has never seen persecution of priests or violation of their rights in the church. He has never heard from the leaders that they should be silent or tolerate injustices occurring in the church; on the contrary, they have always had opportunities to raise issues. He believes that priesthood teaches humility.

A memorial service was held at the Mother See in memory of Sargis and Amalia Karapetyans

At the end of the Sunday liturgy, a prayer was offered for the imprisoned Bishops Michael, Bagrat, and Mkrtich, for the benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, and for our compatriots held in prisons in Armenia and Baku for the defense of the homeland and the church. Under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, a requiem mass was held in memory of the late Sargis and Amalia Karapetyans. The parents of national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan were distinguished educators, having educated several generations in their birthplace, Lori.

Poghos Mrjumyan

Poghos Mrjumyan has undergone 12 surgeries, the last one months ago. Poghos, his father, brother, and son-in-law volunteered to participate in the 44-day operation. Poghos was seriously injured by a hailstone on October 2 in Jrakan. Almost his entire body was covered in shrapnel, and his legs were especially damaged. Armenian soldiers were the first to come to his aid, but they later died.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast of the Archangels and All the Heavenly Hosts

Those gathered in the courtyard of the Holy Mother of God Church in the village of Aratashen, Armavir Diocese, participated in a cross procession on the occasion of the feast. This was the first time an intra-community cross procession was organized in the Artimets parish, although pilgrimages to famous holy places have always been made. The participants of the cross procession walked to the village of Taronik with prayers and singing hymns. The occasion was not only the feast of the Archangels and All Heavenly Forces, but also the anniversary of the consecration of the Surb Zorats chapel in Taronik and the day of the vow.

Prayers for those in prison were offered at the Sunday Liturgy at the Mother Cathedral

Sunday liturgy was celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by Archimandrite Tovma Khachatryan. During the sermon, the holy father commented on the miracles and healings of Christ. At the end of the liturgy, the faithful prayed for the imprisoned Bishops Michael, Bagrat, and Mkrtich, for the benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, for the defense of the homeland and the church, for our compatriots held in prisons in Armenia and Baku.

Catholicos of All Armenians receives 6 clergymen who received priestly ordination

His Holiness congratulated and wished the newly ordained priests good service. His Holiness noted that the guarantee of effective and successful service is the clergyman's love for the children of the church, pastoral care and complete dedication to the community entrusted to them. The Patriarch advised not to be discouraged by difficulties or problems, to overcome them with prudence and patience, to be firm in the vocation, to act with truth and a high awareness of self-sacrifice, holding a cross in one hand and the gospel in the other.