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Diaspora Diocesan Leaders’ Condemning Statements Regarding the Trial of the Catholicos
The Patriarchal Delegate of Western Europe, the leaders of the Armenian dioceses of Damascus, Germany, Iraq, Romania, Great Britain and Ireland have issued statements, noting that the situation surrounding His Holiness and high-ranking clergy, their summons to court within the framework of a criminal case, incites the faithful and belittles the dignity of the Church.
The bishops emphasize that such processes endanger the internal solidarity of society, disrupt the normal functioning of the Church, and also damage Armenia’s international reputation as a state that respects human rights and religious freedoms.
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Diaspora Spiritual Structures and AGBU Call for Suspension of Proceedings Against Catholicos
His Holiness Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the AGBU have issued condemnatory statements, calling August 7 a day of national shame and disgrace, when the Patriarch of All Armenians and six high-ranking bishops are due to stand trial.
The structures emphasize that the criminal proceedings have no legal basis and call for the proceedings to be suspended, respecting the autonomy of the church and freedom of religion.
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Diaspora Dioceses Respond to Criminal Prosecution of Catholicos
The Armenian Eastern Diocese of the United States, the Armenian Diocese of Canada, Russia, and New Nakhichevan, as well as the Armenian Diocese of Argentina and Chile, have issued statements condemning the decision to initiate criminal prosecution of His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians, and six bishops.
The leaders of the dioceses and diocesan councils emphasize that matters related to the governance and discipline of the Church are subject exclusively to the Church’s own canonical order, and this intervention contradicts the Church’s right to self-government guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.
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The court has changed the place where Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan can participate in the liturgies
On July 30, the next court hearing in the “Sacred Struggle” case was held at the “Shengavit” residence of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Criminal Court. The court extended the house arrest of Vahagn Chakhalyan and Artur Sargsyan, and also changed the place where Archbishop Bagrat can participate in the liturgies to Geghardavank.
The UN expert group has recorded violations of civil and political rights in this case. The next court hearing was scheduled for August 13, at 3:00 p.m.
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Episcopal ordination and consecration by the Catholicos of All Armenians
The Vicar of the Diocese of Gegharkunik, Bishop Isahak Poghosyan, the Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, the Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Anania Tsaturyan, and the Director of the Evangelization Center of the Mother See, Bishop Zakaria Baghumyan, were ordained bishops by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II. During the pontifical liturgy, His Holiness prayed for the ordinations, asking the Holy Spirit for graces to be true shepherds. In the coming days, the newly consecrated bishops will celebrate the liturgies of the ordination in the Mother Cathedral.
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A liturgy of intercession for the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide was performed near the Eternal Fire
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by the congregation of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. Under the chairmanship of His Holiness, a liturgy of intercession for the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide was performed near the Eternal Fire. The relics of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, which were prepared in 2015 under the direction of His Holiness Karekin II, were brought out for veneration.
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The vow of ordination
What obligations does a clergyman assume during the ordination ceremony? How does the vow of ordination differ from the Christian vows and promises of an ordinary believer?
How does a clergyman express his commitment to keeping that vow, and what trials may he face?
The topic was discussed by clergymen of various ranks.
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The Bishops' Conference became a unique haven of spiritual awakening and inner strengthOn the last day of the meeting, the participants of the meeting were joined by the Patriarch of All Armenians and 6 bishops via video conference. In the difficult situation created, under the restrictions imposed on the Patriarch, the Armenian clergy united its will, reaffirming its loyalty to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians. The united position of the bishops' class became a message of confidence to the Armenian people, expressed in a jointly adopted statement, in which the 25 participating bishops affirmed: They will continue their sacred mission unwaveringly, remaining faithful to the Holy Gospel, the Orthodox doctrine of the Armenian Apostolic Church. |
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Clergy members of the Supreme Spiritual Council have been summoned for questioning as defendantsCriminal cases have been initiated against the bishops, they are accused of obstructing the execution of a judicial act. And the judicial act concerns the lawsuit of the former leader of Masyatsotn, Arman Saroyan, who was declared a canon. The court, examining his lawsuit with lightning speed, decided that in order to stop Arman Saroyan’s “mental suffering”, a measure of securing his lawsuit should be immediately applied. And the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, who spoke in favor of the excommunication of the former bishop, obstructed the execution of the judicial act. |
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Father Paren ArakelyanWhat do we understand by the name of the basin?
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Hasmik Karapulyan's exhibition of paintings is on display at the Ruben Sevak Museum
The exhibited works are the works of Hasmik Karapulyan over the last two years. The art critic's series of paintings dedicated to ancient Armenian temples prove that the holy temples of the Armenian faith are not just a legacy of the past; standing or bowing, they always preach faith, hope, love and truth.
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Rev. Fr. Hrach SargsyanWhy is there no Christmas tree in the Apostolic and Orthodox churches? |