Cameraman Harutyun Tolanyan

The US Ambassador’s Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Assets has allocated $74,000 to Matenadaran for the restoration and publicization of exceptional documents. During the presentation of the project, the director of Matenadaran noted that the collection of Artsakh manuscripts has pan-Christian and global value. Manuscripts written and illustrated in Gandzasar, Dadivank, Gndevank, Khadavank, Gtchavank and medieval monasteries in Artsakh from the 13th to the 18th centuries have been selected. They are unique archival documents that shed light on the rich Armenian cultural heritage and historical passages.

 

The last time Holy Lance of Geghard was brought to the Mother Cathedral was in 2017. The day of commemoration of the first Armenian enlighteners was declared the day of the vow of Saint Geghard by the patriarchal canon. According to sacred tradition, the God-given Geghard was brought to the Armenian world in the first century by one of the founding apostles of the Armenian Church, St. Thaddeus. For centuries, it has been kept in various monasteries of historical Armenia, and since the 13th century in Ayrivank. Since the 1860s, Saint Geghard has been kept in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the special supervision of the Patriarchs of All Armenians.

 

This year, November ends in the church calendar with the feast of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and Bartholomew. On the day before the feast, on November 29, a pre-holiday service was held in the Mother Cathedral during the evening service. On this occasion, by the Patriarchal direction, the relics of the apostles were brought to the Mother Cathedral from the Treasury of the Mother See.

 

The service of Granting of the Cowl (Veghar) was officiated in the Mother See. Father Virap and Father Mashtots received the cowl and joined the ranks of the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The cowl is placed on the head of each novice as a symbol of the celibate priesthood. Celibate priests renounce married life, take a vow of celibacy, and live a monastic life. The black pointed headdress symbolizes the renunciation of worldly life and is one of the distinguishing marks of a celibate clergyman, as a sign of their vow and spiritual rank. The abbot takes the vow of celibacy on the evening of the day of ordination.

 

Under the direction of the Patriarch of All Armenians and the Primate of the Artik Diocese, Bishop Narek Avagyan, a ceremony of ordination of deacons was held in the Mother Cathedral. After graduating from the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary, they served in the structures and dioceses of the Mother See. Two of them will be ordained as celibate clergy, and four will be ordained as priests. The deacons, having received a new name and a new rank, will join the ranks of the clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

 

After the re-consecration of the Mother See, the residents of the care center have been waiting for the renovation of the church and this visit is a memorable event for them. At the initiative of Father Ararat, they often organize readings of the Holy Book, meetings-discussions, participate in liturgies. The elderly also cooperate with the Ladies' Union of the Holy Trinity Church and regularly participate in pilgrimages or cultural events together.

 

Within the framework of "Learn and earn-Artsakh" project, the AGBU, under the auspices of HEKS/EPER South Caucasus organization, in cooperation with YSU and Eurasia International University, held the first fair for Artsakh citizens under the title of "New Career Opportunities and Prospects". get involved. Over the past year, about a thousand Artsakh citizens have participated in various courses organized by AGBU under this program. The purpose of the fair is to create a business-employee connection.