Spyridon Melikyan


Composer Spyridon Melikyan left behind symphonic and choral works. As a conductor, he raised Armenian choral art to a new level. As an ethnographer, he saved a great treasury of folk songs from oblivion. As a scholar, he examined the theoretical issues of Armenian music in a new light. The former seminarian’s entire life was a service to Armenian music and Armenology.

Father Taron, who joined the defrocked Stepan Asatryan, has left the place of spiritual service


He was assigned to Haghartsin, but left his place of service after a few months. According to him, he left his place of spiritual service because he received an indefinite leave of absence from His Holiness Bagrat, while the vicar of the Tavush diocese, Archbishop Samvel Mkhitaryan, reports that this claim is false. 1.5 years ago, His Holiness Bagrat was no longer the head of the Tavush diocese, therefore, the priest could not receive permission from him to go on leave.

A book has been published summarizing 17 years of excavations in Tigranakert


The presentation of the book “Tigranakert of Artsakh: The Historical and Cultural Image in the Light of Archaeological Research” took place at the NAS. After the 44-day war, when Tigranakert came under the control of Azerbaijan, and it became impossible to continue the excavations, it was decided to summarize the results of 17 years of research work. The Russian translation of the book is currently in the editing stage. The book will also be translated into English.

 

Vahan


The border village of Vahan is the northeastern gateway to Armenia. The village borders Azerbaijan for about 27 km. In some parts, the border is only 2-3 km away. The century-old village has had other names in the past. It was founded in 1925 under the name Rubenakert, renamed Ordzhonikidze during the Soviet era, and in 1991 received its current name in honor of the brave eagle of Artsvashen, Father Vahan.

Ulikhanyan sisters


Victoria and Liana Ulikhanyan have been engaged in classical music since childhood. They have already managed to perform on international platforms, participate in festivals, competitions, and have concerts on international stages. In addition to performing arts, the violinist and cellist sisters also create, and a video clip of Victoria Ulikhanyan's piano trio composition "Mechanics of the Sun" was recently shot, with which the girls are trying to popularize classical music.

Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral on the feast of the Holy Cross of Varaga


A call was made at the liturgy to pray for the Holy Fathers, national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, and our other compatriots who have been in prison illegally for months, who have been in prison without liberty and deprivation.

Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Austrian Pilgrims at the Mother See


During a meeting with pilgrims from the Catholic University Community of Graz, Austria, His Holiness noted that there are close relations and fruitful cooperation between the Armenian and Catholic Churches. Referring to the challenges facing Armenia today, the Armenian Patriarch expressed his gratitude to the Sister Churches for the support they have shown to the Armenian people.

A Republican Prayer was held in Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of Independence Day


On the occasion of Independence Day, the congratulatory message of His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians, in particular, states: “Our responsibility towards the state cannot tolerate injustice and lawlessness, hatred and division, falsehood and deceit, but must lead our people to consensus and unity, so that we can find safe ways out of the current difficult situations. We must turn our love for the state into a zeal for revival, trust and care for each other, and commitment and dedication in every work and field. Independence Day is a message to remain faithful to the aspirations of national awakening, our values ​​and sanctities, and to strengthen and develop our state.” On September 21, at the end of the liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin, a ceremony of Republican wishes was also held.

 

Pilgrimage participants departed from the Saghmosavank Monastery with prayers to the Holy Cross and the Altar of Hope


On the eve of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Diocese of Aragatsotn, the youth of the diocese gathered in the courtyard of Saghmosavank under the leadership of spiritual shepherds. The participants of the pilgrimage, carrying cross-stitches and singing hymns, set off on foot to the Holy Cross and the Altar of Hope. They covered about 5 km of the way with prayers and songs. They conveyed the good news of the holiday to the residents of neighboring settlements.

Sebastian Teachers' Choir


The "Sebastatians" teacher's choir has been operating since 2012. The founder of the Yerevan State Chamber Choir, Honored Artist Harutyun Topikyan, was the conductor at the foundation of its formation. It is a four-part, open choir, composed of educators from the educational complex. The choir performs Komitas' spiritual and secular songs, medieval hymns, works by modern Armenian composers, and disseminates them through educational, cultural, and patriotic campaigns-concerts, educational liturgies, and organizing and participating in national rituals-festivals.

Members of the Ecumenical Conference visited Geghardavank


Members of the inter-church conference entitled “Living the Faith Today: Commemorating the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea” held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, accompanied by the Director of the Department for Inter-Church Relations of the Mother See, His Holiness Karekin Hambardzumnan, visited Geghardavank. The clergy toured Geghardavank, got acquainted with the architecture and sacred history of the church, and then an ecumenical prayer was performed with their participation, during which prayers and hymns were sung in different languages

Aghitu Monument and Tanahat Monastery


The Tanahat Monastery, or as the locals call it, the Red Monastery, is located 25 km southwest of Sisian, near the village of Arevis. Stepanos Orbelyan called the monastery a “great monastery of virtues,” where numerous legends about the holy life of ascetics and lay clergy were woven. During our trip, we also presented the unique monument of the 6th-7th centuries in the village of Aghitu.