Cameraman Harutyun Tolanyan

300 children study in different classes at Ashtarak's Gulameryan Armenian Children's Home. They study singing, dancing, fine arts, various crafts, master musical instruments, and learn languages. The students of the Ashtarak Gulameryan Armenian Children's Home of the Mother See participate in competitions held in Armenia and abroad and win major prizes.

 

The sanctuary bears the names of the authoritative fathers of the Armenian Church, the founders of Armenian writing and scholarship, Catholicos Sahak and Archpriest Mesrop. Their memorial day is also the day of the church’s vow. With the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the relic of Christ’s Holy Cross was transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Vosketap church for the distribution of blessings to the faithful.

 

Araks Mansuryan, Shushan Petrosyan, Anna Mayilyan, Ara Gevorgyan, Samvel Sevada, David Amalyan, Armen Amiryan, Vazgen Yakubyan, and magician Vardan Amiryan helped the students of the Arabkir Armenian Children’s Home weave carpets. The students of the carpet and rug class and the guests held a master class, presenting their experience and knowledge.

 

 

The Mother Cathedral Museum exhibited the highest order of the Armenian Apostolic Church, “Holy Etchmiadzin”, in the center of which is depicted the spiritual center of Armenia, Gregory the Illuminator, with a halo and a cross-shaped staff. Next to him is King Trdat, and above are the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus. The order was established in 2024. The orders “Daughter of Holy Etchmiadzin” and “Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin” were also presented.

 

The solo exhibition of drawings and paintings by artist Levon Lachikyan "Polis Through My Eyes" tells the story of old and new Constantinople, the Armenian trace and heritage there. Most of the 50 works on display are presented to art lovers for the first time. The historical walls, fortresses, narrow streets and backyards, ancient Armenian churches and views of Ishkhanats Island transport the viewer to old and new Constantinople.

 

An evening entitled "The Triumph of Light" was held in the hall of the Masis Music School, dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Archbishop Bagrat. The Archbishop celebrated the anniversary in illegal imprisonment. The Archbishop's supporters, intellectuals and artists who appreciated his activities gathered.

 

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.

 

The Catholicos of All Armenians congratulated them on their episcopal elevation and wished them a fruitful mission for the glory of the Holy Apostolic Church and the building of the Fatherland. His Holiness urged the Holy Fathers to keep their vows, to make every effort to strengthen the national-spiritual life, and to inspire faith and hope in the people. After the ordination and consecration, Bishop Zakaria Baghumyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral.

 

On the occasion of the Republic Day, a Republican wish was held at the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The clergy and the faithful prayed for the stability, peaceful and secure life of the Republic of Armenia. After the Republican wish, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan celebrated the first episcopal liturgy in front of the Holy Table of the Descent in the Mother Cathedral of the Nativity. His Holiness was ordained and consecrated by the Armenian Patriarch last Sunday, on the feast of Pentecost.