Author Lusine Balyan

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.

Arevis

Tolerance

What intellectual and spiritual knowledge and preparation is needed to demonstrate tolerance? What is the reason that modern society has become so intolerant, who is a tolerant person? These questions are examined from the perspective of Christian doctrine by Archimandrite Zatik Avetikyan.

"Kadance" ensemble

The "Kadance" ensemble, which has a history of more than 20 years, has been reorganized, and a dance group has been added to the famous musical quintet. If in the beginning "Kadance" performed mainly the works of Astor Piazzolla, then over time the ensemble has expanded its performances to include works by European, American, Russian and Armenian classical and contemporary composers. From now on, "Kadance" will perform in a new way and in a new format.

Sisian: St. Gregory the Illuminator Church

After the destruction of the Syunik principality of Shaghat and the monastery by Persian troops in the 360s, the Syunik monastery became the main sanctuary of the Syunik principality and until the 9th century was the episcopal seat of Syunik and the center of the ministerial dynasty. In the 80s of the 6th century, the Syunik princess Varazdukht built the St. Gregory the Illuminator temple on the site of the ancient temple of the monastery, which is now the visiting card of Sisian.

Catholicos of All Armenians blesses participants of the Pan-Armenian pilgrimage

The World Youth Union of the Armenian Church has celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was established at the initiative of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in 2001, when the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia was celebrated. More than 300 church-loving young people are participating in the pan-Armenian pilgrimage, which is being held from July 2-7.

At St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, believers prayed for those in captivity and distress

During the evening liturgy, the faithful prayed for those in captivity and distress. What to do when your brother is in distress, how to face difficulties and deprivations, whether to retreat or accept them as a test? The faithful expect to receive answers to these questions from the clergy.