The last Divine Liturgy of the year was celebrated at the Mother See


The last liturgy of 2025 was celebrated in the Mother See on Sunday under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Accompanied by a church procession, the Patriarch, conveying a blessing to the faithful, entered the Mother Cathedral. During the singing of “Lord, have mercy” during the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and faithful prayed privately for the freedom of the imprisoned clergy, the national benefactor and all captives, for the clergy, the steadfastness of the church, as well as for the peaceful and prosperous life of the homeland.

On the birthday of Archbishop Michael, believers prayed in the courtyard of Izmirlyan Medical Center


On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the birth of Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, believers gathered in the courtyard of Izmirlyan Medical Center, sang spiritual songs and prayed. The bishop greeted the gathering from the window and sent a letter of gratitude. He is being cared for in the hospital by one of his relatives. The surgery was successful.

The Hrach and Susan Armenian Youth Center of Echmiadzin concluded 2025 with a festive concert


The festive concert featured performances by the dhol players, kanon players, violinists, and dance classes. There are 7 Armenian orphanages and one miniature art center in Armenia. 2,631 children study in these institutions. They gain skills in the fields of art, sports, and learn languages.

Priests of the Aragatsotn Diocese performed a joint liturgy in the Mastara Church


The clergy and the faithful prayed for the vigilance of the Armenian Patriarch, the steadfastness of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, the imprisoned Archbishops Mkrtich, Bagrat, Michael, and Arshak, Priest Garegin, and those unjustly imprisoned and in captivity.

The dhol class of the Arabkir Youth Center has won the Grand Prix


The dhol ensemble of the Arabkir Youth Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin participated in the "Kanch" Republican Competition-Festival of Performing Arts and was awarded the Grand Prix. The Arabkir Youth Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and AGBU has 22 classrooms. About 400 children study in music, fine arts, sports, and languages.

The students of the Youth Center's dance, dhol and qanon classes toured 20 US states


The students of the dance, dhol and kanon classes of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Hrach and Susan Tufayan Youth Center presented Armenian dance and music in the United States. The concert series was not only a cultural tour, but also a great celebration of Armenian identity and art. In the institutions where the "ArmFolkGroup" performed, the works of the students of the Youth Center painting classes were exhibited.

His Holiness the Patriarch left the Mother Cathedral and distributed blessings to everyone


The clergy of the Aragatsotn Diocese participated in the service not in Byurakan, as planned, but in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During this joint ceremony, those present raised prayers to God for the vigilance of the Armenian Patriarch, the steadfastness of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, the current incarcerated Archbishops Mkrtich, Bagrat, Michael and Arshak, Priest Garegin, and those in unjust imprisonment and captivity. At the end of the ceremony, the Patriarch addressed his fatherly message to the thousands of people gathered in the Mother Cathedral and in the courtyard of the Mother Monastery, who had come to express their support for the church and its enthroned. The Catholicos of All Armenians also addressed the ten bishops, calling on them to return to the canonical field and act only in accordance with the hierarchal order of our Holy Church.

On the occasion of the New Year, the students of the Arabkir Youth Center performed a concert program


The choir, guitar, dance, kanoon, and dhol classes performed in the hall of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the AGBU Arabkir Youth Center. There are 22 classes operating in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the AGBU Arabkir Youth Centers. About 400 children are trained in music, fine arts, sports, and languages.

Priests of the Aragatsotn Diocese Confirm Their Faithfulness to Their Vow


With the blessing of the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Proshyan, the faithful participated in a liturgy and united prayer at the 7th century St. John's Church in the village of Voskevaz, Aragatsotn region. Those present prayed for the steadfastness of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, for the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich, who is currently in prison, and for other clergy, as well as for those who are in captivity for defending the homeland and the church.

Holy Lance of Geghard brought out on the feast of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew


The feast of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew was declared the day of the vow of the First-Born Saint Geghard by the holy Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. On the occasion of the feast, a Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of the Patriarch of All Armenians. At the end, the Armenian Patriarch blessed the faithful with a protective prayer and the miraculous Holy Geghard. The sacred ceremony concluded with a Patriarchal hymn.

 

The removal of the Catholicos’ name is a bid to establish a separate religious direction։ Archbishop Arshak


Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan believes that the removal of the Catholicos’ name during the Liturgy denies the hierarchical order, denies church authority, and one’s own affiliation. This means that you are excluding yourself from church affiliation. According to him, the Catholicos cannot leave just because some circles, including suspicious ones, whose church affiliation is highly questionable, have put forward such an agenda. The Catholicos cannot leave even if 10 bishops have made such a demand.

 

The student of the Armenian Youth Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Becomes Gold Medalist in Wrestling


Levon Bardeghyan won a gold medal in the under 15 tournament in Batumi, taking 1st place. He also took 3rd place in the under 15 tournament in Estonia, becoming a bronze medalist. The Youth Center of Etchmiadzin has a history of more than 20 years. More than 500 children study at the institution.