The issue of protecting Artsakh's spiritual and cultural heritage


After the 2020 war, under the direction of the Patriarch of All Armenians, the "Office for the Protection of the Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Artsakh" was established in the Mother See, which is active in raising the issues of protection and preservation of Artsakh's cultural heritage. Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Garegin Hambardzumyan, Director of Artsakh spiritual and cultural heritage preservation office spoke about the activities of the office, the fate of thousands of historical, cultural and religious monuments in Artsakh under the military control of Azerbaijan. Anahit Margaryan moderated the conversation.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Mother of God Church in Madras


On the anniversary of the death of senior Priest Harutyun Shmavonyan, the editor of the first Armenian print periodical, "Azdarar", a group of pilgrims from Calcutta, led by an Indo-Armenian spiritual leader, is leaving for the Holy Mother of God Church in Madras (Chinna).

The blockade as threat of genocide


On January 30, the International Association of Genocide Scholars adopted a new statement condemning the blockade of Artsakh. In October 2022, the organization also adopted a statement condemning the Azerbaijani attack on the territory of the Republic of Armenia. We discuss the threat of genocide and the long-term blockade of Artsakh with Genocide expert Suren Manukyan. Anna Sargsyan conducts the conversation. 

Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple


On February 14, a liturgy was held in the Saint Gayane Monastery on the occasion of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the temple. A blessing ceremony was held for newly married couples. According to the tradition, the newly married deacons visited the Catholicos of All Armenians together with their wives.

The State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia is 17 years old


On January 25, the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia celebrated its 17th anniversary with a concert. Artistic director and chief conductor of the orchestra, Sergey Smbatyan, is the guest of "Artfocus".  Anahit Margaryan conducts the conversation.

Soldiers awarding ceremony in the Araratia Patriarchal Diocese


The RA national anthem was played by the military band. The traditional ceremony of awarding the soldiers took place on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Sargis. The ceremony was also attended by priests assigned to serve in Artsakh, who are still unable to return to their places of service due to the blockade.

The Feast of St. Sargis in St. Sargis church


From the Mashtots archive the Handwritten Gospel was brought to St. Sargis Church of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese and the Holy Right Hand of the Saint from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During the liturgy, there were three sanctuaries in the Holy Altar, there was also the Ashot Yerkat cross.

War Hanging in the air


There is growing anticipation that the region is being drawn into a major conflict. What is the perception of it in Armenia? What role does the besieged Artsakh play in the complex military-political rearrangements? We discuss it with military analyst Robert Nazaryan. Anna Sargsyan conducts the conversation.

New strategy of education and science. Part 98


We discuss the issue of science and education strategy with Artur Khalatyan, chief researcher of the "Gitserund" project.

Archives and museums of the Mother See


Do we still believe today that art is one of the ways to God? Why does the church create secular art museums? Rev. Fr. Asoghik Karapetyan, Director of  Museums and Archives of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, spoke in the "Artfocus" pavillion about the activities of the museums of the Mother See, the most important achievements of the last years. 
Anahit Margaryan moderated the conversation.
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New strategy of education and science. Part 97


We are discussing the problem of science and education strategy with Koryun Davtyan, the founding director of "Kait" educational and cultural hub.

Vahagn Papyan is at "Artfocus"


On January 6, in the "Aram Khachatryan" concert hall, with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the "Armenian Holy Nativity" spiritual-classical concert took place, on the occasion of which the Israeli pianist and conductor Vahagn Papyan arrived in Yerevan. The musician was a guest on "Artfocus".  Anahit Margaryan moderated the conversation.
Next, cultural news.