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.

 

Holy and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral: prayers were offered for those deprived of their liberty


A Sunday morning service was held in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, after which a Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served on the initiative of the clergy of the Shirak, Tavush and Aragatsotn dioceses. Those present prayed for the imprisoned Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, Bishop Mkrtich, Priest Karekin, national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, and all Armenians in prison for the defense of the homeland and the church.

The Diocese of Aragatsotn gathered for a united prayer at the Holy Mother of God Church in Talin


With the blessing of the Diocesan Primate, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, every Thursday a joint liturgy is held in one of the churches of the diocese and the spiritual class of the diocese, led by the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Rev. Father Shnorhk Paloyan, joins in joint prayer.

A Liturgy was celebrated on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the Holy Trinity Church


On the occasion of the anniversary, members of the parish community planted trees in the surrounding area. In the evening, representatives of the women's and youth unions, Sunday school students, the "Khorotik" national song and dance ensemble, the "Nrane" folk dance group, and people supporting the activities of the shrine participated in the 20th anniversary celebration.

A naming ceremony was held at St. Sarkis Church


Every Saturday, after the morning service, a blessing service is held at the St. Sarkis Church, the Primate of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, for those whose names or surnames are mentioned in the church calendar. The qahana.am website publishes the day of remembrance every week and invites people to receive a blessing. The announcement is also posted on the church wall.

Evening Prayer was performed at the Holy Mother of God Church in Gyumri


A service was held at the Holy Mother of God, Yot Verk Church in Gyumri, followed by a pre-holiday service, which heralds the feast of the memory of the Archangels Gabriel, Michael and the entire heavenly host. With the blessing of the spiritual overseer of the Shirak Diocese, Bishop Narek Avagyan, clergy and believers serving in different communities of the Shirak Diocese arrived at the Yot Verk Church to participate in a joint prayer. This is the feast of the naming of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the leader of the Shirak Diocese.

Specifics of spiritual and psychological support for children were discussed


The Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Armenian Spiritual Restoration Foundation held a joint discussion on the topic “AGBU “Nairi” Camp: Peculiarities of Spiritual and Psychological Support for Children”. Psychologists, educators, team leaders and parents participated in the discussion. In 2021-2025, 1963 children aged 7-13 participated in the summer camps. Children from Artsakh also found refuge here in August 2023, during the blockade of Artsakh. In addition to the summer camp, since February 2024, the “Nairi” family camp has been hosting children forcibly displaced from Artsakh and their mothers free of charge, providing psychological support, stress management training, food, games, and entertainment.

A joint service was held at the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan


Under the leadership of Father Shnorhk Paloyan, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Aragatsotn Diocese, on October 30, the clergy, monks, and pilgrims of the diocese gathered at the St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan. Those present prayed together for the imprisoned Archbishop Mkrtich, Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, Father Karekin, and the other detainees. With the blessing of the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, a joint liturgy is held every Thursday in one of the holy places of the diocese.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the commemoration day of the Holy Apostle


With the blessing of the Patriarch of All Armenians, the relic-bearing the Right Hand of the Apostle St. Ananias was transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Zoravor Holy Mother of God Church. Led by Father Vahan, the procession greeted the relic on Parpetsi Street, then with the singing of hymns, the relic-bearing right was lowered to the chapel of St. Ananias. A blessing ceremony was held at the Zoravor Holy Mother of God Church.