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.

Karekin II received the priests participating in the training course


The Catholicos of All Armenians received the members of the 19th group of clergy who participated in the training courses for clergy. Since 2023, about 400 clergy from the dioceses of Armenia and the Diaspora have participated in the three-week courses at the “Garegin I” Educational Center. In addition to studying and discussing current topics related to spiritual life, the clergy have had the opportunity to live a monastic life for 3 weeks, participate in liturgies, renew their vows, and be strengthened by the blessing emanating from the Mother See.
 

The "Association for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Armenia" planted trees


The "Association for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Armenia" planted trees in the Heroes' Park adjacent to the St. Zorats Chapel in Taronik village, which was built last year. The project plans to create green zones in the areas of the Youth Centers and the Sardarapat Memorial Complex.

 

The "Entsa" social-spiritual-psychological center of the Artsakh Diocese supports the people of Artsakh


Having reopened in Yerevan, the Artsakh Diocese's "Entsa" social-spiritual-psychological center continues to support the people of Artsakh. In cooperation with partner organizations, the center regularly implements new projects for various target groups. Currently, the center is screening feature films under the title "Canonized Doctors" for people from Artsakh representing the medical field.
 

The Grand Sacristan of St. John the Evangelist Church performed a Home- blessing ceremony


Father Poghos Mikayelyan, the Grand Sacristan of the St. John the Evangelist Church in Artashat, performed a Home-blessing ceremony. The family members, the harvest and the good of the house were blessed. Home-blessings are performed in the period following the Holy Christmas and Easter holidays, at housewarmings, in case of disagreements in the family, or any time when people want to fill their homes with blessings.

The last bell at the Eornekian School: prayer, hymn and a new beginning


The graduates of the Eurnekian Secondary School, operating under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, celebrated the last bell. The ceremony began with a prayer and the sounds of the school anthem. The graduates considered the role of the school in their professional orientation to be important. The Eurnekian Secondary School was founded by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The school building was built under the patronage of Argentine-Armenian businessman and philanthropist Eduardo Eurnekian and bears his name.

 

The Armenian Relief Fund has awarded 16 grants to Armenian scientists


Each scientific group received $7,500. Scientists will conduct research in the fields of physics, biotechnology, biology, nanotechnology, materials science, zoology, biochemistry, social sciences, and history. Over the past 25 years, 3,566 applications have been submitted to the foundation's research council. 622 scientific groups have received grants.

 

Father Markos Mangasaryan's speech at the "Bardzunk" NGO


Father Markos Mangasaryan presented the solutions proposed by the Armenian Apostolic Church regarding divorce, lack of parental care, digital addiction, emotional disconnection, work overload, intergenerational conflicts, sexual problems, the impact of war and displacement on families, and the Christian value system at the "Bardzunk" NGO.

The section "Armenia in the 15th-18th Centuries" has been reopened at the History Museum with new exhibits


The exhibition begins with the story of the reestablishment of the Catholicosate of Holy Etchmiadzin from the city of Sis in Cilicia in the 15th century. The door of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of the Tatev Monastery, created in 1614, decorated with a khachkar composition, is presented. It was brought to the museum in 1931. The winged cross installed in Sevan Monastery in 1448 is next to it, one of the doors of the Arakelots Church in Sevan. It was also created in the 15th century. The single-paned door is carved with scenes of the Lord.

The "Geghard" and "Shoghakat" children's choirs performed at the Komitas Museum-Institute


In addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Komitas Museum-Institute also organized thematic and educational programs and meetings dedicated to Komitas for different age groups. The “Geghard” singing group and the “Shoghakat” children’s choir of the Nork Youth Center performed. On International Museum Day, “Geghard” traditionally performs at the Komitas House-Museum. The “Shoghakat” children’s choir performed multi-genre and multilingual works. This year, the museum celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding and the 90th anniversary of Komitas’ death.

 

40 scribes from 12 pastorates of the Aragatsotn Diocese have been awarded the title of scribe


At the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan, 40 scribes serving in the churches of the diocese have received the title of scribe. They wear a vestment every Sunday and help the priests. The bishop gave the donors a key, a candlestick, and a Bible. With the scribe's title, the boys receive the right to perform the duties of doorkeeper, reader, torchbearer, and oath taker.

A festive Liturgy was served on the day of the dedication of the Holy Cross Church in Arabkir


The Feast of the Appearance of the Holy Cross has been established as the feast day of the Holy Cross Church in the Arabkir community of Yerevan. On that day, the Relic of the Cross of Christ was transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Holy Cross Church in Arabkir. After the liturgy, a celebration with national songs and dances was held in the church yard.