A conference entitled "The Church at the Origins of Statehood" was held in Yerevan


Historians consider the Armenian Church to be a structure that preserves the idea of ​​statehood. The Church prepared the foundations of Armenian statehood from the late Middle Ages to the modern period. In practice, it was the Church that transmitted the idea of ​​a national state to generations. Historians consider the thesis that the Church has hindered the formation of statehood throughout history to be baseless.

Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Mother Cathedral for those in prison


The liturgy held on Monday was attended by state and public figures of Artsakh, as well as family members of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Azerbaijan. Archbishop Vrtanes noted that the military-political leadership of Artsakh has been in Azerbaijani captivity for about two years, which is a more spiritual than political test for our Christians and Armenians. According to him, the enemy is judging them because they personally testify to the right of Artsakh to independence. He also called on everyone to remember in daily prayers the imprisoned Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, as well as the devoted benefactor of the church, Samvel Karapetyan.

The relic of Saint Stepanos the Proto-Deacon has been moved to the church of the village of Chknagh


On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the consecration of the St. Stepanos Church in the village of Chknagh, by the Patriarchal direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the relic of Saint Stepanos the Proto-Deacon was transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Chknagh. The faithful communed with the power emanating from holiness. The celebrant invited the faithful to pray for the illegally detained Archbishops Michael and Bagrat and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan.

11 deacons graduated from Gevorgyan Theological Seminary


At the closing ceremony of the 2024-2025 academic year of the Seminary and Vazgenyan Theological Seminary, 3 students from each classroom received encouraging gifts for their progress. The Armenian Apostolic Church Choir, led by Artashes Baburyan, performed a musical recital for the Brotherhood of the Mother See and long-time lecturers of the Seminary.

The depository-museum of the Mother See, closed for more than 8 years due to the renovation of the Cathedral, will reopen


The museum will display relics of pan-Christian and pan-national saints, printed and handwritten manuscripts. In 1869, a depository was built next to the Cathedral, where the church's treasures and pan-Christian relics were stored. Since 1984, during the reign of Vazgen I, the Patriarch of All Armenians, the depository area has been operating as a museum. The oldest exhibit is the 5,000-year-old relic of Noah's Ark, the newest are the handmade, holy altar crosses created at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Church of St. Mesrop in the village of Akunk, Gegharkunik region, has been reconsecrated


The Church of St. Mesrop in Akunk was built in the 15th-17th centuries. During the Soviet years, it was turned into a warehouse. The Tadevosyan brothers began restoring the dilapidated, ruined church years ago, but it remained unfinished. In the end, the sanctuary stood thanks to the large and small donations and joint efforts of the people of Akunk.

On the feast of the Holy Etchmiadzin, after the evening service, the Andastan service was performed


The clergy blessed the four corners of the world, asking the Lord for peace and prosperity. Previously, the Andastan ceremony was performed in the gardens, and fields. The clergy prayed for a peaceful and fruitful year. Now this ritual is performed mainly in the church area. The ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan.

The relics of Hovhannes Karapet and Bishop Atanagineh have been transferred to the Holy Shoghakat Monastery


The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the commemoration day of Saint Hovhannes Karapet and Bishop Atanagineh. His Holiness the Patriarch, accompanied by a procession, solemnly marched from the Cathedral to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, accompanied by the singing of hymns and the faithful. The procession of clergy, accompanied by the loud sounds of drums, moved to the Holy Shoghakat Monastery, this day is also the day of the consecration of the sanctuary.

Members of the Brotherhood Assembly participated in a service at the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator


The start of the Assembly was announced on June 17. Before that, the participants jointly participated in the evening service at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church in Yerevan. Later, the clergy visited the Yerablur Military Pantheon to pay tribute to the memory of the brave soldiers who gave their lives for the homeland and to pray for the repose and peace of their souls.

 

A military quiz on Bible knowledge was held at the "Young Defender of the Land" club


At the initiative of the Bible Society of Armenia and the Spiritual Leadership of the Armed Forces, a joint program “The Bible Transforms a Soldier’s Life” was held under the “All-Army Bible Knowledge Contest.” For the first time, the Young Yerkrapah Club of the Yerkrapah Volunteer Union submitted an application to participate in the annual quiz. The teams from Kotayk, Aragatsotn, and Armavir, which took the first three places, were awarded with Bibles, Bible dictionaries, and “Shushan Varden” books.

 

The mother church of the Sassounik church complex, the Holy Cross, is already ready


Currently, the interior decoration of the church is underway. Cross stones, sculptures and bas-reliefs with various evangelical plots will decorate the church, and the seventy-two stone crosses on the dome symbolize the disciples of Christ. Surb Khach is the first church in Sasunik. With the consistency of the diocesan Primate and the support of the patron Armenians, today numerous churches are being reconstructed and built in different communities of the Aragatsotn diocese.

 

The Araratian week started with the commemoration of St. Hripse and her Companions


The Araratian week symbolizes the conversion of the Armenians and the victory of the Christian faith over paganism. The events commemorated during this week are related to the establishment of Christianity in Armenia in 301 AD and took place in the Ararat Valley, which is why the week was named "Araratian".