A Liturgy was celebrated in Naples on the occasion of the feast of Descent into the Pit, dedicated to Gregory the Illuminator


Pilgrims from 11 countries, including Greece, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and various cities in Italy, arrived at the Church of St. Gregory in Naples to commune with the relics of the saint and participate in the Liturgy. Many of them arrived in organized groups and were accompanied by their spiritual pastors. The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Khajak Parsamyan, the Pontifical Delegate to Western Europe and Representative of the Catholicosate of All Armenians in the Vatican, with the participation of spiritual pastors from the Armenian communities of Italy, Spain, and Poland.

 

His Holiness sends condolences on the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia


The condolence message of the Catholicos of All Armenians states that the long-term pontifical service of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II was a testimony to the strength of faith and dedicated spiritual leadership. His pontificate was marked by the revival of spiritual life in Georgia, the strengthening and revitalization of church life. In difficult times, the Patriarch of happy memory led his faithful flock with paternal wisdom and love, firmly maintaining the mission of the Holy Church of Georgia.

The Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection has been closed to pilgrims since February 28; no rituals are performed


The three main Christian communities - the Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox and Catholic Churches - are unable to hold services, liturgies or any other rituals in the Church of the Resurrection. This is a place where, according to Christian tradition, the Crucifixion and Resurrection took place. And it is here that every year, on Easter Sunday, the Holy Fire is brought out and distributed to believers. The official explanation is security.

The clergy of the Tavush Diocese held a joint service in Makaravank


During Lent, in anticipation of the Holy Resurrection, contemplation and prayer accompany people striving for spiritual perfection, examining their spiritual life and their own inner world. The spiritual fathers visited 34 families in the village of Achajur, prayed together in the homes of believers, and had spiritual conversations with people. The spiritual fathers presented the “Disciple’s Bible” to the children of all the families.

Catholicos of All Armenians received the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See at the Mother See


During the meeting with the Armenian Patriarch and the Papal legate, they touched upon the fraternal relations formed between the Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholic Churches and the further strengthening of inter-church cooperation. They discussed the complex situation in the region and Church-state relations in Armenia.

Catholicos of All Armenians in constant contact with Armenian communities after Iran war


There are Armenian communities in all countries that have been directly or indirectly involved in military operations. His Holiness Karekin II, Patriarch of All Armenians, is concerned and anxious about the current situation and is in constant contact with the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the diocesan leaders of the region.

The Powerful Gospel of Shuryshkan is on Display at the Mashtots Matenadaran


From March 10, one of the most famous manuscripts, the Mighty Gospel of Shuriskhan, is being exhibited in the Matenadaran for a month. The exhibition with a unique and unique exhibit has attracted great attention, there are many visitors. The miraculous Gospel of Shuriskhan was written in the village of Aspisnak, Kajberun province of Van, by order of a woman named Turvanda. The Gospel, which has gained a reputation for holiness, has had several names: it has been called the Pope, the Red Gospel, and also Saint Barsegh in honor of the priest Barsegh or the Saint Barsegh Kesaratsi monastery, where it was kept for some time.

The Image of the Judge: From the Holy Scriptures to Mkhitar Gosh


A meeting-lecture dedicated to Judge's Sunday was organized by the initiative of the spiritual pastor and parishioners of the Dashtavan Holy Mother of God Church. Candidate of Legal Sciences, attorney Ruben Melikyan gave a lecture on the topic "Mkhitar Vardapet Gosh in Search of a Just Judge." According to him, the Code of Law is a judicial guide that has helped shape systematic judicial practice for centuries, covering civil, criminal, family, and church law.

Israeli missile attack approaches Beirut's Armenian neighborhood, Burj Hammoud


Armenian charitable organizations operate in Lebanon, but according to Vigen Avagyan, director of the Armenian radio station "Voice of Van", if the war is prolonged or intensifies, a humanitarian disaster will begin in the country. According to official data, there are up to two million people in Beirut, about fifty thousand Armenians live there. Lebanon is the most vibrant and important community not only in the Middle East, but also in the entire Armenian Diaspora.

 

An eventful week at a glance


With the blessing of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, two groups of Tbilisi Armenian believers left for a pilgrimage to the holy places of Lori region. On February 27, an evening service was held in the Armenian rite in the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the feast of St. Gregory of Narek. From March 6 to 8, the youth of the Armenian Apostolic Church participated in a three-day gathering in the Netherlands

Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, the head of the Mother See, has been released


By the decision of the Court of Appeal, the preliminary detention was replaced with administrative supervision. The priest is prohibited from leaving the territory of Vagharshapat and is prohibited from having contact with witnesses in the case. He has been in solitary confinement since December 4. He has been charged with illegal drug trafficking with prior consent, although no evidence has been presented to date regarding the alleged crime.

The Catholicos’ decrees have legal force for the Armenian Apostolic Church


The basis for the defrocking of Bishop Gevorg Saroyan was the transgressions of the former bishop. The Catholicos’ decrees are a source of church law, along with the rules of the ecumenical and local councils, as well as the canons. That is, the decisions of the Catholicos are binding on the entire church. Only he can anoint the myron. Only by his hands are bishops ordained. He convenes church councils, appoints or confirms diocesan leaders. He also has the right to punish transgressing clergy.