The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the memory of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s release from imprisonment in the deep pit of Khor Virap


On the occasion of the release from Virap, a festive liturgy was served by the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan. With the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the cross-shaped reliquary containing the relics of the first patriarch, St. Gregory the Illuminator, was transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Khor Virap. This symbolic return unites holiness, the historical past, and living faith.
 

Levon Lachikyan's solo exhibition "Polis Through My Eyes" was held at the AGBU Hall


The solo exhibition of drawings and paintings by artist Levon Lachikyan "Polis Through My Eyes" tells the story of old and new Constantinople, the Armenian trace and heritage there. Most of the 50 works on display are presented to art lovers for the first time. The historical walls, fortresses, narrow streets and backyards, ancient Armenian churches and views of Ishkhanats Island transport the viewer to old and new Constantinople.
 

Church relics brought out in Holy Etchmiadzin ahead of Araratian Week celebrations


With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the relics of the Cross of Christ, St. Gregory the Illuminator, and St. Sahak Partev, Patriarch, were brought out for the worship of the faithful. On the feast of the memory of St. Elijah the Prophet, a liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, by Father Mkhitar Yepremyan, a member of the Brotherhood of the Mother See.

 

Tree planting organized in the yard of the Holy Mother of God Church in Kanaker


Members of the ARF Kanaker Zeytun community Aram Poghosyan Committee, in coordination with the clergy, organized a Sabbath cleaning and tree planting in the yard of the Surb Astvatsatsin Church in the adjacent old cemetery. A total of 7 types of fruit-bearing tree seedlings, brought from the northern regions of Armenia, will have time to grow strong by autumn.

 

Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Participants of International Conference of Lawyers


Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II hosted at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the participants of the International Conference of Lawyers, which is being held in Yerevan these days at the initiative of the Chamber of Lawyers, including members of the Chamber of Lawyers of the National Council of France and representatives of the bar associations of various cities. His Holiness expressed gratitude to the French authorities and the French people for their recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as for their caring attitude towards the Armenians living in France who survived the Genocide.
 

On the occasion of the New Sunday, members of the youth unions of various Armenian dioceses gathered in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin


On the occasion of the New Sunday, more than 650 young people welcomed the Catholicos of All Armenians with a pontifical hymn. At the request of the members of the youth unions of the dioceses of Armenia, the clergy organized the pilgrimage to the Mother See. The Catholicos of All Armenians blessed the young people and wished that they would always be in the grace of God, be bearers of the rich heritage left by our Holy Church and the holy fathers. They had the opportunity to communicate, talk about joint programs and participate in the Holy and Immortal Liturgy of the Second Advent in the Mother Cathedral.
 
 

The relic of St. John the Baptist was moved to the church of Mkhchyan named after the Saint


On the Saturday following the feast of the Holy Resurrection, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Baptist. On that occasion, by the special order of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the cross-shaped reliquary containing the relics of the Saint was moved from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the St. John the Baptist church of Mkhchyan. The St. John the Baptist church of Mkhchyan was reconsecrated on this feast day and the day was declared a day of the church’s vow. On that occasion, the family of Argam Abrahamyan, the benefactor of the church’s renovation, organized a feast of sacrifice.
 

Icons of the Church of the Resurrection of Parakar Restored


Students of the Department of Restoration, Conservation and Preservation of Works of Art of the Charles Aznavour State College of Culture and Arts restored the icons of the Church of the Resurrection of Parakar. They examined the causes of damage, identified whether the changes were caused by humidity, temperature, contact, or time, and then proceeded to clean and strengthen them. The work on each canvas takes days, depending on the degree of contamination.
 

The presentation of the “Entry into Jerusalem” puzzle took place at the Zangak Library


With the joint initiative of the Museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the “Association for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Armenia”, the illustrated wooden puzzle was placed on the display case of the “Zangak Library”. The first of these boxes with miniatures selected from the manuscript heritage of Holy Etchmiadzin was the puzzle on the theme of “Christmas” on the eve of Christmas, then “The Coming of the Lord”. The presentation of the “Entry into Jerusalem” puzzle was organized on the feast of Palm Sunday. The Director of the Museums of the Mother See, Father Asoghik Karapetyan, conveyed the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians, to the children.
 

The clergy of the Aragatsotn Diocese participated in the evening service at the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan


Under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Father Shnorhk Paloyan, the clergy of the diocese, the nuns of the Ghazaravan Monastery, monks, and pilgrims jointly participated in the evening service at the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan. The participants of the ceremony, bowing to the tomb of St. Mesrop Mashtots, asked for the intercession of the Saint to further strengthen their faith in these days of trials. They prayed for the beloved Primate, His Eminence Mkrtich, the clergy and children of the church who are in prison, and then for the Homeland, the Holy Church, and everyone.
 

Prodigal Sunday symbolizes the return of the sinful son to the Father


A Holy and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians. This parable, full of meaning, divine love and mercy, was presented to everyone with its many layers, prompting them to reflect on their actions and ask for forgiveness.

Judgement Sunday: Liturgy at the Mother See


This Sunday in the series of Sundays of Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Unjust Judge. The meaning of the day is summed up in the parable of the unjust judge. The fifth Sunday of the Unjust Judge is named after the parable of the unjust judge and the widow, mentioned in the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which Jesus told the people. The next Sunday, March 22, is Advent Sunday. The clergy will go to the gospel passages concerning the second coming of Christ.