The Story of a Carpet: Initiative Members at the Mother See


At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness the Catholicos of All Armenians received the participants of the “The Story of a Carpet” initiative, who, under the leadership of the spiritual director of the Youth Center, Father Harutyun Vardapet Kirakosyan, presented the Armenian Patriarch with a unique dragon carpet made by the students of the Youth Center in Arabkir during one academic year.
His Holiness thanked the AGBU and the participants of the initiative and conveyed his blessing and appreciation to the spiritual director of the Youth Center, the priestly class, the directors, and the educators.

 

The Selection of the Twelve Apostles (6:12-16)


After praying all night, how does Christ choose his 12 apostles? Who were they and what was their mission and destiny? In what order does the Evangelist list the names of the apostles and why? Who founded our Church? The Gospel passage is read by Father Markos Mangasaryan.

The Floral Robe, a Divider of Brothers


Why do Jacob's 10 sons begin to envy their younger brother, Joseph, and what conspiratorial plan do they carry out? How does the perception of parental love affect the relationships between children, and why does the feeling of a lack of love for oneself cause jealousy and envy? What does the choice made by God imply: vanity or responsibility and a call to mission, and what symbolic meaning did the brothers' stripping of Joseph's robe have? How do our actions later affect the lives of our generations? Bishop Ruben Zargaryan comments.

The price of unconfessed sin


How are Jacob's 10 sons transformed and become a united and loving family with their brother Joseph? What feelings might Joseph have felt about his brothers' greed and the act of selling him into slavery as a "product"? Why didn't his brothers recognize Joseph in Egypt? How does Joseph treat his brothers, and why does he choose to test them psychologically? How does Joseph's forgiveness become the reason for the family's unity, and why is the one who takes the step of forgiveness considered the strongest in reality? Bishop Ruben Zargaryan departs.

The architecture and spiritual meaning of the Mother Cathedral


Father Ararat Poghosyan and prose writer Hovhannes Yeranyan spoke in “Taghavar” about the architecture of the Mother of God Cathedral, the changes it has undergone throughout history, and the recent renovation. They also touched on the spiritual and symbolic significance of the Cathedral, the national-popular council for its construction and renovation, as well as the holidays dedicated to the Mother Cathedral in the ritual calendar.

The Feast Day of the Church of St. Hakob in Vardenis and the 14th Anniversary of the Reconsecration


Every year, the last Sunday of August is the feast day of the Church of St. Hakob in the village of Vardenis, Aragatsotn region. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the reconsecration of the chapel. The festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated and the faithful were blessed by the spiritual shepherd Father Mushe Vahanyan.
On the occasion of the holiday, the miraculous and intercessory Gospel of “Pope Narek” from 1710 was brought to the church from the Chapel of St. Narek, and numerous pilgrims from not only the village, but also Aparan and neighboring settlements visited Vardenis to commune with it.

The second judge also refused to examine the case of the Catholicos of All Armenians


On August 28, the Vagharshapat seat of the Criminal Court of First Instance of Armavir Region held a hearing on the criminal case against Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the Supreme Spiritual Council, including 2 archbishops and 4 bishops. 
Judge Serzh Rushanyan also refused to examine the case, sending it to the Yerevan Criminal Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction. The court noted that the omission in the indictment raises questions, and the Yerevan court should examine the issue of territorial jurisdiction of the case.

Cases against the Armenian Church must definitely go to the European Court of Human Rights: expert


How do the illegal processes carried out by the state-legal system against the Armenian Church affect the international reputation of our state, especially when we are initiating EU membership? Is the government program, which contains an unconstitutional provision regarding interference in the internal autonomy of the Armenian Church, illegal? Can the Constitutional Court maintain its principles in this political situation and consider the government program unconstitutional? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Isabella Sargsyan, an international expert on freedom of religion and belief.

Armenia's Independence and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church


Father Ararat Poghosyan and prose writer Hovhannes Yeranyan spoke in "Taghavar" about the new opportunities opened up for the activity of the Armenian Church after Armenia's independence, and noted the important role that the church has played in modern Armenian history.
They touched upon the atheistic pressures and limited activity of the Church during the Soviet years, the role of the Church in the Artsakh movement, as well as the development of church-state relations and today's challenges.

Jacob's Transformation: From Mask to Identity


Does the image of Jacob live among us today? How do we deceive ourselves, thinking that we have received a blessing from God?
Who is an antisocial person and what is narcissism? What is the message of the episode of Jacob's struggle with God, and what does man's struggle and struggle against God mean? How does man face his own identity, rejecting the masks dictated by the external environment? Bishop Ruben Zargaryan is leaving.
 

His Holiness the Patriarch received the clergy of the Masyatsotn Diocese


On August 25, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received clergy of the Masyatsotn Diocese. The Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, congratulated the Armenian Patriarch on the occasion of his 75th birthday and expressed gratitude for his fatherly care.
His Holiness the Patriarch highly appreciated the spiritual and devoted service of the clergy of the diocese and their unwavering dedication to the Armenian Church in the difficult situation they have created.

 

The Brotherhood and Officials of the Mother See Congratulated the Patriarch of All Armenians on His 75th Birthday


On August 21, the episcopal order, priests, deacons, secular officials, and young people from the Diaspora congratulated His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on his 75th birthday at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Patriarch expressed his gratitude and appreciation to those present, emphasizing that both in the past and now, our spiritual and national life remains strong through the efforts of the clergy and laity.