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.

A Liturgy was served on the occasion of the Annunciation at the Holy Mother of God Church in Nork Marash


The Feast of the Annunciation is the first of 8 feasts dedicated to the Mother of God. The Virgin Mary is the most beloved saint of Christians. Believers participate in feasts dedicated to the Mother of God with great reverence. The Church of the Holy Virgin in Nork Marash was crowded on the occasion of the feast.

On this occasion of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator’s Commitment to the Pit the relic-bearing right hand of Gregory the Illuminator was taken to Khor Virap


Accompanied by priests, the pilgrims went to the Khor Virap monastery to participate in the festive liturgy and commune with the relics of the saint. Khor Virap also commemorates the names of two disciples of Christ, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, who met in the area adjacent to Khor Virap while preaching the word of the Lord and erected a cross at that place as a sign of their meeting.

 

A church is being built in the village of Darbnik at the initiative of Bishop Gevorg Saroyan


The church will have an attached chapel, which will also serve as a candlelight hall, so that the ceremony is not disturbed during the liturgy. The church will have a Sunday school, a pastor's house and a library, that is, all conditions are created so that a full spiritual life can be organized. The village of Darbnik has more than 1,800 residents, who go to neighboring villages to participate in church services.

The Armenian Relief Fund of the Eastern Diocese of the US is implementing a new healthcare program


High blood pressure and disease management methods were studied in the communities of Byurakan and Khndzoresk. Based on the results of the arterial hypertension program, interventions will be implemented following the guidelines of the World Health Organization, which sets out the strategy for the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. Doctors and nurses from the communities of Byurakan and Khndzoresk have been trained.

Nork YC students returned with victories from the "Tbilisi Magical Spring" international competition-festival


Artistic groups from regional countries participated in the competition-festival. This was the first participation for the newly formed circus ensemble and the 5th grade of the dance school. The dance class presented an Armenian folk and modern dance performance at the competition and was awarded the "Best Choreography and Performance" award.

The young people participated in the evening service at the Holy Mother of God Church in Lusagyugh


For the second year now, the youth unions of the Aragatsotn Diocese have been celebrating Great Lent by jointly participating in liturgies and services, after which they talk around the Lenten table. Young people have many questions, especially during Great Lent. There are 19 youth unions in the Diocese, which include about 350 young people and teenagers.
 

At the end of the Evening service, the faithful celebrated Median Day of Lent in the courtyard of St. Anna Church


The 48-day period of Lent is shared during the Median Day, which is a short retreat to reflect on the past and upcoming days of fasting, to review spiritual behavior, and to reflect on daily life. There are fewer church ceremonies during the Median Day, but instead there are many folk customs. In particular, after the evening service, people gather around the dinner table and share unleavened bread.
 

On International Down Syndrome Day, 6 singers and the "Shoghakat" choir presented a video clip


The NGO "Arev Children: Children's Health and Development Center" has been operating in Armenia since 2018. The center was established on the initiative of Father Grigor Grigoryan, and more than 220 children attend it. A large group of specialists work at the center, with group and individual involvement of children. From speech development to socialization, every small success has been preceded by years of consistent daily work. The center's specialists also work with the children's parents.