The Parable of the Ten Virgins was Presented at the Evening Service at the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin on Holy Tuesday


A symbolic ceremony is held in churches on Holy Tuesday. The ten virgins are represented by scribes, children, or soldiers. They are divided into two groups: the wise and the foolish. The candles burning in their hands symbolize the light of faith. The candles that go out during the ceremony symbolize the Gospel episode when the oil in the lamps of five of the virgins runs out. This year, judo athletes wore T-shirts to present the Gospel story of Holy Tuesday in the Mother Cathedral.

On the day of Palm Sunday, during the evening service, the Opening of the Doors ceremony was performed


The Patriarch of All Armenians blessed those present during the Opening of the Doors ceremony. During the ceremony, a dialogue takes place between the clergy kneeling in front of the closed altar and those behind the curtain. The veiled altar symbolizes the heavenly kingdom. People experience the event expected at the end of the world, when the doors of the kingdom of God will be opened and the righteous will enter it.
 

An open painting lesson dedicated to the Feast of Palm Sunday was held at the Mother See


Students of the Youth Center arrived in Etchmiadzin under the leadership of Archimandrite Harutyun Kirakosyan. After the painting and chalk drawing, a festive concert was held on the territory of the Mother See, where the drummers of the Youth Center, dance groups, and students of the circus school performed. The students of the Youth Center met with Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness blessed the children.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the memory of Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem - Palm Sunday


With the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the feast of Palm Sunday has been declared a day of blessing of children. After the morning service in the Mother See, the ceremony of the Andastan and the order of blessing of children took place under the presiding authority of the Armenian Patriarch. His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, conveyed his blessing to the children, after which the willow branches blessed during the Andastan were distributed to the faithful. His Holiness presented the children with crosses. The Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

 

Priests of Masyatsotn Participated in Joint Liturgy in the Church of Norabats Village


The priests of the Masyatsotn Diocese participated in the last joint liturgy of the spiritual journey of Great Lent at the Church of the Holy Mother of God. In a prayerful atmosphere, those present reflected on the upcoming events of the Armenian Church. On Fridays of the Lent period, the priests of the Masyatsotn Diocese prayed together in various holy places and listened to the sermons of the prelate of the Masyatsotn Diocese, Archimandrite Ruben Zargaryan.
 

Judge Dismisses Archbishop Arshak’s Defense Lawyers


The defense lawyers dismissed the judge because he is close to the officers of the investigative bodies involved in the case against the Archbishop. Judge Gevorg Manukyan granted the lawyers’ motion. The Archbishop is accused of allegedly placing drugs in the backpack of a member of the “New Armenia, New Patriarch” movement in 2018, allegedly on his instructions. The Archbishop was incarcerated for 3 months because of this case.

Holy and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians


The mystery of Advent Sunday was presented in his sermon by Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan. The 6th Sunday of Great Lent is called Advent and reminds the believer of the second coming of Christ. Christ calls his second coming the “Last Day,” “the Day of Judgment,” “the Day of Coming,” “the Day of God’s Wrath.” During the first coming, the Son of God underwent crucifixion and death, but the second coming, according to the Gospel testimonies, will come with awesome power and great glory.

 

The dioceses of Masyatsotn and Aragatsotn offered a united prayer at the St. George Church in Mughni


Under the leadership of the Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Archimandrite Ruben Zargaryan, and the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, Father Shnorhk Paloyan, the clergy of the Diocese of Masyatsotn and Aragatsotn offered a joint prayer at the St. Gevorg Church in Mughni. During the joint service, Father Shnorhk Paloyan emphasized that the meaning of this Sunday of Great Lent is to strive for spiritual perfection and to be renewed through repentance.

Wrestler Suren Aghajanyan, a student of the Youth Center of Echmiadzin, became the European champion


Aghajanyan, who represented Armenia at the European Under-23 Championships in Serbia, defeated Georgian Georgi Kochalidze in the 60 kg final in 2 minutes and earned a gold medal. This victory is notable for the fact that Suren won all his fights before the allotted time. Before reaching the final, the Armenian wrestler eliminated representatives from France, Poland and Denmark.

Archbishop Michael's house arrest continues


Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the head of the Shirak Diocese, can attend Sunday Liturgies and receive communion, but cannot celebrate Liturgies or preach. The defense filed a motion to change or lift the preventive measure, but the Criminal Court of Appeal did not change the house arrest. Archbishop Mikayel appealed to the European Court of Human Rights regarding the violation of his rights, presenting facts of illegal detention, violation of freedom of expression, and criminal prosecution for political purposes.

An exhibition dedicated to architect Artak Ghulyan has opened


An exhibition titled “Our Grateful Ones: Artak Ghulyan the Builder, Scientist, Teacher” dedicated to Architect Artak Ghulyan has opened at the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia. The exhibition was initiated by Artak Ghulyan’s students in collaboration with the teaching staff.

Judges in cases of defrocked clergy act under pressure: lawyer


The first instance court of Armavir region has examined the case of Aramayis Takhmazyan against the Armenian Apostolic Church. The defrocked priest is challenging the patriarchal decree of the Catholicos of All Armenians to declare him defrocked. The court had decided to order the Mother See to reinstate Aramayis Takhmazyan in the status of spiritual shepherd. Attorney Ara Zohrabyan claims that this case could not be accepted for proceedings because the state cannot interfere in the affairs of the church. He stated that the judges in the cases of Stepan Asatryan, Aramayis Takhmazyan and Arman Saroyan are acting under pressure.