Archaeologists have begun excavations of the single-nave basilica church of St. Mariane in Vagharshapat


During the excavations, the foundations of the northern wall of the church were uncovered. According to experts, the initial assumption is that the cause of the destruction was wars and invasions. Six clay jars were found in the northeastern area of the monument. Two of the jars were damaged over time.

The premiere of Aram Shahbazyan's documentary film "The Capture of an Unnamed Height" took place


The film tells the story of the heroic deeds of the 25th Battalion of the Armenian National Army, which defended one of the heights of the Marjanlu area of Jrakan during the 44-day war in Artsakh. The strategically important Unnamed Height was defended by soldiers under the command of Major Edgar Matevosyan, also known as Matos. Some of the soldiers remained on the Height forever, while others were wounded and survived. The authors are planning to present the film at international festivals.

 

In Gyumri, believers made a pilgrimage from St. Jacob Church to the Holy Savior Church


With the blessing of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese, a pilgrimage was held from Gyumri’s St. Hakob Church to the Holy Saviour Church on the eve of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Before the pilgrimage, the faithful participated in the evening service and general confession at the St. Hakob Church. Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan noted that the purpose of the pilgrimage is self-purification and spiritual healing. The priest urged the faithful to never despair, to pray and not to doubt the power of prayer.

The relic of the Lord's Cross has been moved to the Holy Mother of God Church in Aragats


On the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, a Liturgy was served at the Holy Mother of God Church in the village of Aragats, Aragatsotn Diocese. The officiating clergyman reflected on the gospel episode of the Transfiguration and spoke about the power of prayer for communicating with God.

 

AGBU Scout Camp Participants Visit the Mother See


The participants of this year's summer gathering of the AGBU Armenian Youth Association's Andranik Scout Camp at the Matenadaran of the Mother See were hosted by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the Department of External Relations and Protocol of the Mother See. The Archbishop conveyed to them the paternal blessing and best wishes of His Holiness.

The Patriarch of All Armenians received a group of pilgrims from New York


His Holiness the Patriarch issued a call for hope, peace, and love and urged them to bear witness to their faith and devotion through their deeds, not words, wherever they may be. The Catholicos of All Armenians discussed church-state relations with the pilgrims.

Catholicos of All Armenians received the participants of the 12th ARF Youth Camp


His Holiness, during a meeting with the participants of the 12th Pan-Armenian Youth and Student Congress of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, touched upon the occupation of Artsakh, the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh deprived of their homeland, and the return of Armenian prisoners still held in Azerbaijan. The Catholicos of All Armenians spoke about the problems of preserving the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh and the difficult situation prevailing in the country. He considered national unity, love for the homeland, and loyalty to national values to be important, which are the only means by which it will be possible to overcome the challenges.

 

Participants of the Armenian Studies and Religious Studies course received certificates


The young people have been hosted in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in recent weeks, learning the Armenian language and Armenian history. They have received spiritual and religious knowledge. They have participated in cultural programs, art and craft classes at the Youth Center of Holy Etchmiadzin. The young people, who arrived from Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Brazil, Austria and Georgia, have visited holy places, participated in liturgies in the Mother Cathedral and Sevanavank.

 

AGBU Focus Program participants met with His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians


In about 28 countries, under the auspices of AGBU, Young Professionals Groups operate, implementing community projects, often for the motherland. Young Professionals Groups hold their joint gathering in a different country every two years. The Patriarch of All Armenians has noted that this is how young people love and become attached to their homeland.

 

Clergy consider law enforcement actions at the Mother Cathedral a national shame


In the Mother Cathedral, Bishop Narek Berberian, Primate of the Diocese of Brazil, urged the faithful to be steadfast, as the Armenian Patriarchs were. The chain of Holy Liturgies began on June 30. On July 5, the feast of the discovery of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator will be celebrated.

Prayers were held in the Mother Cathedral for the detained archbishops and Samvel Karapetyan


Bishop Mushegh Babayan urged the faithful to pray, as only in this way can they dispel the loneliness of the imprisoned Archbishops Bagrat and Michael, and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. The Bishop invited the faithful to ask for the Lord's support for them, so that they can overcome difficult trials and restore justice.

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.