Pilgrimage to the Holy Cross Church in Akhtamar


On September 6, Armenian pilgrims from different countries of the world participated in the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Church in Akhtamar, presided over by Archbishop Sahak Mashalyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, and celebrated by Bishop Mesrop Barsamyan, the Primate of the Eastern Armenian Diocese of the United States. At the end of the Liturgy, a requiem mass and a funeral service were held.
 

Statement on the worrisome phenomena in Hovhannavank


The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the holding of inappropriate events and parties in Hovhannavank; this situation is a consequence of the authorities’ patronage of Stepan Asatryan, who has been defrocked.
The Mother See calls on the relevant state bodies to restore the legal status of the seized churches.

 

The Exaltation of the Cross, the Last Tabernacle Feast of the Year


Starting September 7, the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church will observe a week-long fast in preparation for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which will be celebrated on Sunday, September 13, and is the fifth and last Tabernacle Feast of the Year, with the following day being Day of the deceased.
The Exaltation of the Cross, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, is dedicated to the return of the God-bearing Holy Cross to Jerusalem from Persian captivity.

 

The Feast of the Birth of Holy Mother of God


On September 8, all Christian churches invariably celebrate the feast of the Birth of Holy Mother of God, who according to the Bible was the child of the covenant and is considered the main intercessor of humanity before God in the Armenian Apostolic Church.
A festive liturgy will be served in all churches, and the day is also the name day for those named Mariam, Meri, Yeranuhi, Srbuhi, Perjuhi and Mari.

 

The Miraculous Gospel of Sangibaran at the Holy Shoghakat Monastery


Every year, on the feast of St. John the Baptist and Hob the Just, Armenians who moved to Armenia from the Persian province of Periya in 1972 arrive on pilgrimage to the Holy Shoghakat Monastery in Vagharshapat, and the Miraculous Gospel of Sangibaran, proclaimed to have healing powers, is brought to the church from the Matenadaran. The festive Liturgy was served by the spiritual minister of the Holy Shoghakat Monastery, Archimandrite Gabriel Sargsyan.

 

Message of the Catholicos of All Armenians on the occasion of the Day of Knowledge, Writing and Schooling


On the occasion of the Day of Knowledge, Writing and Schooling, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, sent a congratulatory message to students, educators and all workers in education, conveying to them his Patriarchal love and blessing. In the message, His Holiness wished strength and courage to those dedicated to the cause of education, enthusiasm and diligence to pupils and students, as well as asking for God's blessing and protection for our homeland and our people throughout the world.

Statement of the Supreme Spiritual Council


On August 26, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council, Armenian bishops and diocesan leaders was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the chairmanship of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, at the end of which the participants issued a statement. 
The Supreme Spiritual Council expressed deep regret over the unacceptable behavior again demonstrated by the CP faction towards the Armenian Church during the discussion of the Government Program in the National Assembly, condemning the anti-church policy of the authorities, groundless accusations and attempts to interfere in intra-church life, and reaffirming the Church’s loyalty to its spiritual and national mission.

Statement from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America


The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America has issued a statement, noting that the Diocesan Council and the Primate are following the developments in Armenia with a prayerful heart and spiritual reflection.
The Diocese expressed confidence that truth will prevail, and both the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the canonical law of the Armenian Church will be upheld and respected.

 

The Armenian Diocese of Brazil Expresses Support for the Catholicos of All Armenians


The General Assembly of the Representative Council of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil of the Armenian Apostolic Church was held recently, under the direction of the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Narek Berberian, and chaired by Andre Kissajikian.
Expressing concern about the current political and ecclesiastical situation in Armenia, the assembly members reaffirmed their support for the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, emphasizing the need to respect the autonomy and dignity of the Armenian Church.

The support of the Armenian Diocese of Isfahan to His Holiness the Patriarch


The National Primacy has issued a statement, noting that the campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church and the targeting of the Catholicos of All Armenians is unprecedented and dangerous, since, unfortunately, this attack today comes not from the enemy, but from the current authorities of the Republic of Armenia. Strongly condemning the encroachment on the sovereignty and rights of the Church, the Primacy has expressed confidence that our Church will also pass this test with honor.

Statement of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey in Support of the Catholicos of All Armenians


On August 10, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople issued a statement expressing its support for His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians, and the holy bishops.
The Patriarchate urged all those responsible to keep the Armenian Church invulnerable, not to insult its hierarchal dignity, and not to turn the decisions of official church bodies into secular judicial conflicts.
 

Malankara Orthodox Church Appeals in Support of Catholicos of All Armenians and People of Armenia


The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Armenia and expressed its support for His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the clergy and the faithful.
The sister Eastern Orthodox Church has urged all concerned parties to exercise restraint, pursue peaceful dialogue, protect religious freedom and respect the canonical independence and integrity of the Armenian Church.