Blessing of grapes at the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Ghukasavan


A prayer and a Grape Blessing ceremony were held at the renovated and restored Holy Virgin Mary Church in Ghukasavan community, Ararat region, led by the Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, with the participation of the spiritual shepherd of the area, Father Grigor Hovhannisyan. 
Archaeologists Artak Gnuni and Levon Mkrtchyan participated in the restoration work, which began four years ago on the initiative of Vache Topuzyan. The restoration project was authored by architect Amiran Badishyan, and the project was supervised by Garegin Knyazyan.

Kanachut St. Gevorg Church Celebrates Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Grape Blessing


On the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, Primate of the Diocese, celebrated a liturgy at the St. Gevorg Church in the Kanachut community of the Masyatsotn Diocese and performed a Grape blessing ceremony. 
During his sermon, the Bishop expressed his appreciation to the spiritual minister of this pastoral ministry, Father Beniamin Tsaturyan, the community members and the pilgrims.

His Holiness Receives Priests of the Diocese of Aragatsotn and Their Families


On August 13, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See the priests of the Diocese of Aragatsotn and their families, who have suffered greatly in recent months due to the administrative surveillance of the diocesan primate, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, and the abbot, Father Karekin Arsenyan, as well as the searches and detention of the priests’ homes.
His Holiness emphasized the importance of the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen spiritual ties with the clergy, highly appreciated their unwavering dedication, and concluded by conveying his pontifical blessing, wishing them good health and a prosperous life.

 

15th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Holy Nshan Church in Berkarat


On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the consecration of the Holy Nshan Church in the village of Berkarat, Aragatsotn region, a Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served. The celebrant was Father Nshan Alaverdyan, and the spiritual pastor of the area was Father Hayk Kocharyan.
Under the Pontifical direction of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and with the blessing of the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, a rite of the Andastan was performed with the Khachatryan Relic of Jesus Christ brought to Berkarat from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
 

Second Group of Diaspora Armenian Youth at the Mother See


On August 12, the Catholicos of All Armenians received the second group of Diaspora Armenian youth who arrived to participate in three-week Armenological and religious studies courses.
His Holiness blessed the young people who arrived from different countries, urged them to diligently strengthen their knowledge of the Armenian language and history and their spiritual knowledge, to become acquainted with the spiritual and cultural heritage and values ​​of the homeland, and also assured that despite the current difficulties, the Church is steadfast and unwavering in its mission.

Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Youth of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina


On August 6, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received 17-18-year-old graduates of national and secondary schools of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina and their accompanying educators. 
His Holiness urged the youth to demonstrate zeal in their studies, to bring benefit to the homeland and the Mother Church in the future, and to discover the mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Pilgrimage of the youth of the Aragatsotn Diocese to the Diocese of Gugark


About 200 young people from 15 communities of Aragatsotn came on a pilgrimage to the St. Gregory of Narek Church, the seat of the Diocese of Gugark. 
The Primate of the Diocese of Gugark, Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, presided over the Divine Liturgy, and the spiritual leader of the youth unions of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, Father Paren Arakelyan. 
The young people prayed for the Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, who is under administrative control.

Diaspora Armenian Youth Visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin


On July 31, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin hosted 30 Diaspora Armenian youth and young adults who had arrived in their homeland from different countries of the world under the AGBU “Discover Armenia” program. They visited the museum, got acquainted with the unique relics kept there, and met with the Catholicos of All Armenians, receiving the Patriarchal blessing and message.

The court has changed the place where Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan can participate in the liturgies


On July 30, the next court hearing in the “Sacred Struggle” case was held at the “Shengavit” residence of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Criminal Court. The court extended the house arrest of Vahagn Chakhalyan and Artur Sargsyan, and also changed the place where Archbishop Bagrat can participate in the liturgies to Geghardavank.
The UN expert group has recorded violations of civil and political rights in this case. The next court hearing was scheduled for August 13, at 3:00 p.m.

"One Year of Eternity": New Exhibition at Matenadaran


The exhibition "One Year of Eternity" was opened at the Mashtots Matenadaran within the framework of the 3rd International Congress of Armenian Studies, which presents unique manuscripts, ancient books, photographs and archival documents that have been handed over to the center over the past year. 
The Matenadaran funds have also been replenished with new exclusive donations, including the 17th-century "Zhoghovats" manuscript and valuable printed books.

Armenologists of the world in Yerevan: Congress of Armenian Studies in Matenadaran


The 3rd International Congress of Armenian Studies has launched at the Matenadaran named after Mashtots, which this year is dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the birth of Mkhitar Sebastatsi.
As part of the event, the agreement on the creation of a digital repository of Armenian manuscripts around the world was extended for another 2 years with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Summer Camp for 6 to 60 Year Olds


Bishop Isahak Poghosyan
Azhdahak Social and Environmental Center
 
In the village of Gegharkunik, Gegharkunik region, the “Azhdahak” Social and Environmental Center organized the 20-day “Ecocamp-2026”, which brought together participants aged 6 to 60 under one roof.
The camp hosted the Primate of the Gegharkunik Diocese, Bishop Isahak Poghosyan and clergy of the diocese.