Aghitu Monument and Tanahat Monastery


The Tanahat Monastery, or as the locals call it, the Red Monastery, is located 25 km southwest of Sisian, near the village of Arevis. Stepanos Orbelyan called the monastery a “great monastery of virtues,” where numerous legends about the holy life of ascetics and lay clergy were woven. During our trip, we also presented the unique monument of the 6th-7th centuries in the village of Aghitu.

Arevis


The village of Arevis is located about 20 km from Sisian, but due to the poor road, it takes hours to reach the village.
Officially, Arevis has 41 residents, who live in the village intermittently, coming in the spring for agriculture and beekeeping. In the winter, barely ten residents remain in Arevis. Arevis is 4 km away from the enemy, but the reason the village has no residents is not at all its proximity to the border, but the lack of living conditions.
 

Tolerance


What intellectual and spiritual knowledge and preparation is needed to demonstrate tolerance? What is the reason that modern society has become so intolerant, who is a tolerant person? These questions are examined from the perspective of Christian doctrine by Archimandrite Zatik Avetikyan.

"Kadance" ensemble


The "Kadance" ensemble, which has a history of more than 20 years, has been reorganized, and a dance group has been added to the famous musical quintet. If in the beginning "Kadance" performed mainly the works of Astor Piazzolla, then over time the ensemble has expanded its performances to include works by European, American, Russian and Armenian classical and contemporary composers. From now on, "Kadance" will perform in a new way and in a new format.

Sisian: St. Gregory the Illuminator Church


After the destruction of the Syunik principality of Shaghat and the monastery by Persian troops in the 360s, the Syunik monastery became the main sanctuary of the Syunik principality and until the 9th century was the episcopal seat of Syunik and the center of the ministerial dynasty. In the 80s of the 6th century, the Syunik princess Varazdukht built the St. Gregory the Illuminator temple on the site of the ancient temple of the monastery, which is now the visiting card of Sisian.

Catholicos of All Armenians blesses participants of the Pan-Armenian pilgrimage


The World Youth Union of the Armenian Church has celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was established at the initiative of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in 2001, when the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia was celebrated. More than 300 church-loving young people are participating in the pan-Armenian pilgrimage, which is being held from July 2-7.

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.

Statement: The behavior of law enforcement officers at the spiritual center of all Armenians is condemnable


The information system Department of the Mother See has issued a statement condemning the behavior of law enforcement officers at the shrine. The Mother See emphasized that Archbishop Michael was not properly notified, but expressed his readiness to travel to Yerevan to appear before the Investigative Committee, not avoiding the presented demand. 
The Mother See urged the people not to give in to provocations, to remain vigilant, and to continue their support by all legal means.

The more than 60 religious organizations registered in Armenia are almost not monitored


During the congress, thematic lectures were organized for the members of the Brotherhood at the Mother See. The speakers noted that the Holy Apostolic Church in Armenia has an exclusive status with its structures. That is, since 1991, the obligation to consider the Holy Apostolic Church of Armenia as a national structure and to legally fix its status has been imposed, which was later enshrined in the 2005 constitution. And the more than 60 religious organizations registered in Armenia are almost not monitored, accountability is incomplete.

The exhibition "The Monastery of Holy Etchmiadzin in the 19th-20th Centuries" was opened at the congress


The documentary material summarized in the exhibition is about the prominent monks and patriarchs of Echmiadzin. Their activities have left an indelible mark on the history of the Mother See and the Armenian people. They were not only clergymen, but also famous intellectuals and scientists. Catholicos Gevorg IV founded the first higher educational institution of Armenia in the new period, the Gevorgian Theological Seminary. Not only the clergy of the time were educated here, but also future writers, teachers, musicians, historians, and public figures.

Catholicos of All Armenians urges religious to be united in facing new challenges


The Armenian Patriarch, speaking about the current difficult period for the homeland and people, also addressed with concern Nikol Pashinyan's targeting of the Armenian Patriarch and the clergy, noting that the planned attacks aim to discredit the Armenian clergy and the Church, silence the voice of the Church, and diminish its high reputation and authority in society.

Faith


What is faith, how can it be manifested in daily behavior, what is the content of the Creed recited during the liturgy? Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan speaks on this.