The news coverage “Ecclesiastical Life” features Armenian Apostolic Churchactivities in the spheres of education, cultur, public, health and others. It also addresses Church Feasts, tells about public structures, youth movements, activities of District Youth Centers functioning adjacent to Dioceses. It also presents the ministry in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the life of an Armenian believer in congregation both in Armenia, as well as in foreign Dioceses.
Frequency: Every Monday and Friday, at 19:30 and 21:30
Rerun:Tuesday and Saturday, at 08:00 and 10:30
Broadcast also by the satellite channel of Armenian Public TV.

Ecclesiastical life 16.04.2018


What is a House Blessing; why and when does this ceremony need to be performed? Father Yesayi Artenian offers House Blessing ceremony at Chichakyan's house and explains the details of the sacrament and ritual.
The territory of the Mother See got larger three times over the last years and makes nearly 40 ha. Exactly half of it is a green area. How are the trees and bushes over one thousand being taken care of, what tree species grow there and what is that attracts thousands of visitors, pilgrims and locals?
Post graduate of three universities in Rome, Italian art historian Rachele Zanone studies Armenian miniature in Armenia. She regularly visits churches and monasteries to research frescoes and sculptures.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) marks their 112th anniversary of establishment. On this occasion, with the head of the AGBU  Yerevan office, scouts laid wreaths and flowers at the statues of the union's founder Poghos Nubar, presidents Galust Gyulbenkyan and Alex Manoogian. 
International news feed - On April 16 the retired Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his 91st anniversary. Catholic bishops of Europe and Africa discussed the issue of globalization during a seminar in Portugal. This year, the Cannes Festival will screen Wim Wenders' documentary “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word”. The Church bearing the name of 12 apostles in Moscow, Kremlin, is open again for visitors.                        The Outer Hebrides, Scotland is to get its first ever mosque. The local priests of the national church of Scotland are pessimistic about this initiative announcing the construction of the mosque to be undesirable.
 

 

Ecclesiastical life 13.04.2018


On April 13, Major Stepan Stepanyan, who was gravely wounded in 2014 on the Artsakh-Azeri contact line, visited Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians. Armenian community of India organized the medical treatment of the Armenian officer upon the request of the Armenian Patriarch. 
Early this year, the Armenian Diocese of Georgia filed a suit on the issue related to the Holy Mother of God Church. What is the status of the case and how likely is the Church to be returned to its real owner?
The only church of the residents of Mrgavet, Dimitrov, Getazat villages is St. Hovhannes Karapet Church in Mkhchyan. The construction of the manse of the Church is currently underway. 
The clergy of Gugark Diocese visit Vanadzor State University quite often with the Primate of the Diocese Archbishop Sebouh Chouldjian attending different initiatives, organizing lectures and conferences on various topics.
International news feed A museum was opened in Nagasaki, Japan to commemorate the Christians martyred in Japan.. National Library of France displays religious ritual books in one of the halls in Louvre. President Emmanuel Macron had a meeting with the leaders of Catholic Church. Four Christians in India were blamed in hurting religious feelings of Hinduists. A group of Christians distributed leaflets with Easter message in one of had districts of Hyderabad. 
Chinese authorities put a ban on sale of Bibles in on-line stores. It was deemed to be contradictory to the values of socialism. 

 

Ecclesiastical life 09.04.2018


Brotherly visit of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to Vatican was completed. The spiritual and lay leaders of our country participated in the opening of the monument of St. Gregory of Narek. The Supreme Patriarch had a private talk to the Pope of Rome. To mark their brotherhood and friendship of many years, Pope Francis presented a cross decorated with images of Sistine Chapel to Karekin II. Afterwards, the leaders of Churches visited St. Peter Church. In front of the Armenian St. Patriarch Grigor Lusavorich a private prayer was delivered.
On April 7, Catholicos of All Armenians bestowed a medal “Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin” to Gagik Harutyunyan for his services to the Holy Etchmiadzin. 
On April 8th the building of the diocesan center with social-educational, cultural and youth departments of the Tavush Diocese was blessed. The architect is Mariam Movsisyan, the construction works are coordinated by the chief architect of Tavush Marz Misak Melkumyan. The building is built through the funds provided by sole benefactors, as well as a number of organizations and foundations of the United States, Canada and Armenia.
Every year, the Sunday following the Feast of Holy Resurrection, Shurishkan Gospel is taken from Matenadaran to St. Gevork Church in Mughni. The pilgrims believe Gospel famous by its names “Pap -granpa”, “Red”, “St. Basil of Caesarea” which fulfills their wishes is all-mighty. 
On the eve of the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin Mary, a celebration was organized in the backyard of St. Grigor Narekatsi Church. On April 7, Saturday, a festive Divine Liturgy was offered in St. Mariam Astvatsatsin Church of Vanadzor. 
 

Ecclesiastical life 06.04.2018


The monument of St. Gregory of Narek proclaimed as Universal Teacher was opened in Vatican. Գրիգոր Նարեկացու արձանը: The ceremony was attended by the President of Armenia and Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians. 
April 6 is the commemoration day of the priests martyred in the result of Soviet repressions. That day also marks the assassination (according to unofficial records) of Catholicos Khoren Muradbekyan.  This year marks his 80th death anniversary.
On April 5, the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese initiated a march from the Holy Trinity Church to Yerablur Pantheon. The participants of the march lowered flowers to the graves of the heroes of April war in 2016, which was followed by a Requiem of Repose of Souls service.  
Vice-chairwoman of the Union of Religious Women of Holy Etchmiadzin in Beirut Anahit Dandzigian was in Armenia during the Easter. She met the Armenian Patriarch too. 
The World Council of Churches Armenia Inter-Church Charitable Round Table Foundation in close collaboration with the State Academy of Crisis Management of the Ministry of Emergency Situations organized training courses in Emergency Preparedness and Rapid Response for Disaster Relief attended by the clergy of all Dioceses of Armenian Church.  
Within the project “One Community, One School”, Sunday Schools are opening in different communities of Tavush Diocese. Another one opened in Haghartsin village.  

 

Ecclesiastical life 02.04.2018


On ՝ April 1 On the Easter, the good news of the resurrection of Christ was heard in all Armenian Apostolic churches. Like all Mondays following the major church holidays, today on April 2 is the Remembrance of the Dead. After the Divine Liturgy a Requiem Service is offered in all churches. 
Last week, Catholicos of All Armenians received Russia-based benefactor, jeweler and businessman Garun Kocharyan. The benefactor and his wide Sonya Kocharyan presented a new staff covered with symbols to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. It is a unique staff made in one copy and exceptional sketches. On the Easter Liturgy the new staff was on the Pontiff’s hand. It took its place in the Mother See next to other Catholicosate staffs.  
By the blessing of Gugark Diocese Archbishop Sebou Chouldjian, ahead of the Feast of Holy Resurrection, the ceremony of handing 20th apartment to a multi-children and needy family took place.
On April 2, to commemorate the victims of the four-day war of 2016, a Requiem Service was offered in Yerablur announcing the names of all martyred soldiers. The service was offered by the Chaplain of the Armed Forces Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan. 
To mark the Feast of Holy Resurrection, the exhibition of Garegin Aghabekyan was opened in Naregatsi Art Union. 
 

 

Ecclesiastical life 02.03.2018


Supreme Patriarch delivered a congratulatory message to Armen Sargsyan for his election as the fourth president of RA.
At the meeting convened by the World Council of Churches Armenia Round Table Foundation, the cooperation between the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Armenian Church had been discussed.
On May 1, the defence of a thesis for the rank of Archimandrite of Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgarian was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. 
To mark the 30th anniversary of Sumgait massacres, a commemoration ceremony was held in Moscow's Holy Resurrection Church attended by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russian and Nor Nakhichevan Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan, the Ambassador of Armenia in Russia and many other representatives of Armenian community.
The Estonian translation Narekatsi “Book of Lamentations” was published in Tallinn, which was sold out within a short time and printed for the second time.
From February 26, the first stage of the contest on Bible knowledge was launched at the School N 24 of Yerevan. The competition is being organized by the Christian Education Center of the Mother See, Bible Society and the Public Education Division of the Yerevan City Hall.

 

The message of the Armenian Pontiff on the Feast of Annunciation


On April 7, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II delivered a congratulatory message. 
 

Ecclesiastical life 25.03.2018 Festive coverage on Palm Sunday (Tsakhkazard)


A festive Divine Liturgy of Palm Sunday was offered in all Armenian Apostolic Churches. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II attended all festivities in the Mother See. 
In Arabkir Church, the festive Divine Liturgy of Tsakhkazard was held by Father Hrant Manukyan.  This was the very first Liturgy of the newly-ordained priest and the first Tsakhkazard of Arabkir Church. 
St. Anna Church of Yerevan was also replete with believers and children on the Palm Sunday. The Liturgy here was offered by Very Rev. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan.
The festive Divine Liturgy of Tsakhkazard in St. Grigor Narekatsi Church of Armavir was offered by Father Tachat Injighulyan.  The children's blessing ceremony was offered by the Primate of Armavir Diocese Bishop Sion Adamyan.
The Palm Sunday was celebrated by national traditions. On Palm Sunday, “Vostan” Band presented folk songs, dances and games at “Ilik”. 
 

 

Ecclesiastical life 19.03.2018


Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II was in Ukraine for a two day visit. On day 1, he performed the blessing ceremony of the church under construction in Kiev. On March 17, the newly-constructed church St. Grigor Lusavorich of the city Dnepr was consecrated. 
On March 17, the first of the 3 feasts dedicated to St. Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) will be celebrated - the Entrance or Captivity in the Pit. 
Sixth Sunday of the Great Lent is called Pentecost. 
On March 18, the sacrament of the day was explained to the believers gathered in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for Divine Liturgy by Bishop Vardan Navasardyan.
On the day prior to the Sunday of Pentecost, the high school- students of Vanadzor School N13 and Tsaghkavan community schools attended a joint open class in Haghartsin Monastery. 

 

Ecclesiastical life 16.03.2018


On March 17, Saturday, the first of the 3 feasts dedicated to St. Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) will be celebrated - the Entrance or Captivity in the Pit. The clergy is invited to Khor Virap to take part in the Divine Liturgy, plead for the saint’s intercession and be granted the blessing and power of the relic.
A meeting of the students of Gevorkian Theological Seminary and those of the Police Academy was held in the building of Police Academy. Diverse questions were discussed.
By the presidency of the Primate of Tavush Diocese Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the clergy continues traveling to the surrounding Diocesan Churches with joint prayers. On March 14, Wednesday, a Sunrise Liturgy was offered.
In Karvachar mountains, a Home-blessing ceremony was held in the chapel constructed by soldiers. Two cross-stones were placed next to the Chapel to commemorate the military officers deceased in the April four-day war of 2017.
International news feed. The authorities of Egypt legalized 53 Christian churches. Ethnographic Museum of St. Petersburg hosts an exhibition dedicated to the construction of the Cathedral of Isaac. In Texas, US, a Chapel of Reflections and Joyful Feelings was opened. The Vatican host its first hackathone this week, harnessing the technological skills and creativity of programmers from more than 5 continents. 
News feed from dioceses: By the initiative of the clergy of Constantinople Patriarchate, the traditional three-day pilgrimage of the Great Lent has launched in the historical Caesarea.   Interfaith gatherings of Canadian Armenian Diocese continue: another meeting in Vancouver.   
The Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia made a speech at the meeting of the Georgian State Agency for Religious Affairs. 
 

 

Ecclesiastical life 12.03.2018


The visit of the Patriarch of Antioch and All East Ignatius Ephrem II to Holy Etchmiadzin was completed. 
Armenian Theological Seminary of Jerusalem preparing to admit students: who are eligible? 
Third exhibition of the series of exhibitions “Creating Hands” was opened in Gevorkian Theological Seminary. 
The Feast of Michink symbolizing the middle off the Great Lent was celebrated in the Armenian Diocese of Georgia. 
The platform Yes of FAR and GOALS Armenia plan to establish a female football league in Kotayk Marz this year. 
Chess contest participated by the students of the Armenian Youth Centers and Arabkir Chess School. 
 

 

Ecclesiastical life 23.03.2018


The preceding week of the Resurrection of Christ is called Holy Week; every day of that week is outstanding and they tell about the last days of Christ on earth. Key rituals of the Holy Week and their sacrament.
Third annual conference “Traditional Values and Modern Challenges” was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin attended by the representatives of the Armenian and Russian NGOs, experts, priests, public and state figures.
On March 21, the ranks of Archimandrite of the Armenian Apostolic Church was replenished with a newly-anointed Archimandrite Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan . A service of ordination was held in the Holy Mesrop Mashtots Church of Oshakan.
This year, the 2800th anniversary of the establishment of Yerevan will be celebrated. The Christian Education Center of the Mother See joined the festivities.  The pupils of Yerevan will have open classes on the existing and destroyed churches of Yerevan. 
An event dedicated to Palm Sunday was held in Avetik Isahakyan’s House-Museum. The school-children attended an open class on the Armenian ritual traditions of the Easter.