Candlelight Liturgy celebrated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church


The faithful have gone to St. Gregory the Illuminator Church to conclude Lent, receive Communion, and take home the good news of Christ's life-giving resurrection from the church. At the end of the liturgy, the faithful light a lamp from the church's lampstands and candles placed near the altar and take it to illuminate their homes.

Believers survived the final hours of Christ's earthly life


After the order of crucifixion, the commemoration of the descent of Jesus from the cross and his burial was performed on Good Friday evening. The service of Christ's burial was performed in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

In all Armenian Apostolic Churches, a Betrayal Service was held


The Brotherhood of the Mother See, presided over by the Catholicos of All Armenians, participates in the sacred ceremony. The Order of the Eclipse symbolizes the memory of the betrayal and suffering of Christ. It refers to Good Friday, but is performed on the evening of Holy Thursday, since, according to the church calendar, the day begins after the evening service of the previous day.

 

The Church commemorated the Last Supper of Christ and the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist


On the morning of Holy Thursday, the Service for those who are fasting (Apashkharoghac) was held in the Mother Cathedral, followed by the Midday Service. The fasting faithful participated in the ceremony. On the morning of Holy Thursday, those who repent are granted absolution. Penitence is one of the seven sacraments of the Armenian Church. A penitent is a person who repents of a crime, offense, or mistake and is ready to atone for the sin. Those who sincerely repent and are granted absolution.

The monograph entitled "The Stone Chronicle of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin" has been published


It is dedicated to the reconsecration of the Mother Cathedral and summarizes the lithographic heritage of the Mother Cathedral. For the first time, the construction and renovation works of the Mother Cathedral over the centuries are presented in the form of a chronicle, that is, in chronological order. The author of the monograph is lithographer Arsen Harutyunyan. The Armenian lithographs of the Mother Cathedral were studied in detail during the last large-scale renovation, when different layers of the walls of the building were opened.

The Opening of the Doors ceremony was held at the Mother Cathedral on Palm Sunday evening


The Order of the Opening of the Doors symbolizes the Second Coming of Christ, when the gates of the kingdom of heaven will be opened for the righteous. It takes place in the form of a dialogue between the clergy, who are veiled, inside and outside the Mother Altar. The clergy kneel and ask the Lord to open the door of mercy so that the righteous may enter there.
 

A festive liturgy was served on the occasion of Palm Sunday at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church in Yerevan


Spreading garments before Jesus symbolized confessing sins to Christ. Offering branches and twigs signifies special honors and solemnity. The olive tree was perceived as a symbol of wisdom, peace, victory, and glory. Offering olive and palm branches to Christ after raising Lazarus from the dead symbolized victory over death.

Bible study classes are being held in the Artsakh diocese


Bible study classes have begun at the "Entsa" center. The meetings were initiated by members of the Artsakh Diocese Youth Union. The classes are held in a question-and-answer format. The center has also been conducting Bible study classes for Artsakh children for a long time. In addition, the center, in collaboration with public and social organizations, implements psychological, social, spiritual, cultural and educational programs.

 

The epigrapher has found out why the Tatev Monastery is also called the Monastery of St. Eustathius the Apostle


Epigrapher Arsen Harutyunyan, while studying the Tatev Monastery, noticed that in the works of church historians and in late periodical documents, the Tatev Monastery is also called the Monastery of St. Eustathius the Apostle. His study showed that until the 15th century, there was no mention in historical sources that the monastery was named after the Apostle Eustathius. The name of the Apostle Eustathius is also not attested in the stone inscriptions of the Tatev Monastery. Only from the 15th century, during the reign of the Tatevites, does the tradition associated with him circulate.

 

The construction of the new church in Dilijan, initiated by Ruben Vardanyan, has resumed through donations


Ruben Vardanyan considered the construction of this church as part of the comprehensive development plan for Dilijan, considering it a symbol of the spiritual and cultural revival of the city. Vardanyan started the project in 2014. After Vardanyan was illegally detained by Azerbaijan, his wife continued the project. The central dome church is being built with local travertine. It will have a height of 37 m. height and will occupy an area of ​​375 square meters. The two bell towers will be located on both sides of the dome, on gable roofs. The facade of the church will be decorated with the alphabet and biblical texts. More than 300 people can be in the spacious hall of the newly built church at the same time.
The construction of the new church in Dilijan, initiated by Ruben Vardanyan, has been resumed through donations
Ruben Vardanyan considered the construction of this church as part of the comprehensive development program of Dilijan, considering it a symbol of the spiritual and cultural revival of the city. Vardanyan started the project in 2014. After Vardanyan was illegally detained by Azerbaijan, his wife continued the project. The central dome church is being built with local travertine. It will have a 37 m. height and will occupy an area of ​​375 square meters. The two bell towers will be located on both sides of the dome, on gable roofs. The facade of the church will be decorated with the alphabet and biblical texts. The spacious hall of the newly built church can accommodate more than 300 people at a time.

 

Catholicos of All Armenians receives participants of priest training courses


His Holiness conveyed his blessing to the priests, highly appreciating the zeal of the clergy in enriching their ritual and theological knowledge. His Holiness emphasized that continuous education is important for more effective service. His Holiness urged the priests to put their abilities and knowledge at the service of the Church, the welfare of the Armenian people, and the development of the homeland.

Members of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church community planted more than 100 trees on the church grounds


The faithful learned about the tree planting at the end of the liturgy, and some of them from the Internet. There were families who, upon learning about the church's initiative, decided to purchase a sapling and have their memorial tree in the area adjacent to the church. In this way, the thuja and rose bushes on both sides of the steps leading to the church were also planted.