Syunik- Khot


The border village of Khot, like neighboring Shinuhayr and Halidzor, was founded as a result of the relocation of an old settlement. Due to the lack of basic living conditions, the village was relocated in the 1960s by the decision of the Soviet leadership, and people left their ancestral homes. Due to its proximity to the road to Tatev, Khot is noticeably more lively than other border settlements.

Court changes Archbishop Bagrat’s detention to house arrest


The news of changing Archbishop Bagrat’s detention to house arrest came as a surprise to the participants in the court session and to the Archbishop, as in December the same judge had rejected the change in the preventive measure. It is noteworthy that all other members of the struggle have been under house arrest or administrative control for months. Lawyers claim that this case was initiated for political purposes, the main goal of which was to stop the process of the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement. The next court session in the case was scheduled for June 11, at 3:30 p.m.
 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Second Palm Sunday


The Second Palm Sunday, which heralds the Lord's triumphal entry into Upper Jerusalem, is celebrated only by the Armenian Church. The sacred tradition is recounted in detail in the hymn "This Wonderful Sign" written by Catholicos Grigor the Witness. The festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the St. Hripsime Church in the old district of Goris by the Primate of the Syunik Diocese, Bishop Makar Hakobyan.
 

Archbishop Bagrat Celebrates 55th Birthday in Prison


Supporters of Archbishop Bagrat held a march in Yerevan, then gathered near the NSS building. The Archbishop has been a political prisoner for 330 days, having been detained for stopping the “Holy Struggle”. Leading the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement, he tried to use all his authority and spiritual strength to serve national unity. The Archbishop proves every day that a true shepherd never abandons his flock.
 

Court extends house arrest of 2 candidates running in parliamentary elections


During the hearing on the holy struggle case, Judge Karen Farkhoyan extended the house arrest of Artur Sargsyan for another two months. Regardless of the objections and petitions of the defense, the judge also extended the house arrest of MP candidate Igor Sargsyan for two months. Thus, the court has limited the participation of two candidates running in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the campaign.
 

Episcopal ordination and consecration by the Catholicos of All Armenians


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.
 

Catholicos of All Armenians Urges Priests to Remain Vigilant and Firm in Faith


The gathering at the Mother See concluded with a statement from the clergy, in which the clergy expressed their loyalty to the muron-distributing Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians for leading the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church with patriarchal wisdom, spiritual courage, and peaceful steadfastness in these trying days. The Armenian Patriarch urged them to reject ideas and actions that are detrimental to the nation. His Holiness highly appreciated the courageous spirit, steadfastness, and zeal shown by the clergy in these difficult days for the preservation of canonicality and unity in our Holy Church.

 

Policeman Witness in Nersisyans’ Case Did Not See Any Illegal Actions During Campaign


Two policemen from the Vagharshapat Police Department were questioned during the Nersisyans’ case. One of them interrogated Garnik Ghazaryan, the main witness in the case, and the other accompanied the Republic Party’s campaign. One of the witnesses stated in court that Harutyun Mkrtchyan was also present with Garnik Ghazaryan during the interrogation. That is why Garnik Ghazaryan’s personal information was filled in with his phone number. The second witness stated that he did not notice any circumstances hindering the campaign in the Voskehat community; he was informed about the alleged incident by the Republic Party candidate in a neighboring village. The policeman stated that he himself filed the report with the Vagharshapat Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but he personally did not see any illegal actions during the campaign.
 

Bishop Anania Tsaturyan celebrated the first liturgy in the Mother Cathedral


Bishop Anania Tsaturyan celebrated the first episcopal liturgy at the Holy Altar of the Descent in the Mother Cathedral. He was recently ordained and consecrated as a bishop by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The Bishop has been the scepter bearer of His Holiness the Patriarch and the director of the ceremonial department for many years. Since May 2025, he has been appointed the abbot of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by the Patriarchal decree.

 
 

Bishop Isahak Poghosyan celebrated his first liturgy in the Mother Cathedral


The prelate of the Gegharkunik Diocese, Bishop Isahak Poghosyan, celebrated his first liturgy after being ordained a bishop. According to the established procedure, newly ordained bishops celebrate their first liturgy in the Mother Cathedral. Next Sunday, the newly consecrated bishop will celebrate a liturgy in his diocese, the Holy Mother of God Prelacy Church in Gavar, and will distribute his blessing to the faithful of the Gegharkunik Diocese.
 

As a result of contact with priests in Goris, young people have expressed a desire to become clergy


Several boys from the community have been ordained as scribes, have the opportunity to wear the rosary and support the priests with their service. The church choir is also made up of students from the Goris music school and believers, who serve on a volunteer basis in the holy places of their community. Fr. Tigran has been serving in the Syunik diocese for more than 4 years and serves with Fr. Aharon in Goris.
 

Bas-relief of Khoren Palyan placed on the wall of Lusine Zakaryan's house-museum


On the birthday of People's Artist of Armenia Lusine Zakaryan, the anniversary of the founding of the house-museum was celebrated and a bas-relief perpetuating the memory of Khoren Palyan was placed on the wall of the building. The museum does not have state support, it operates with the financial support of relatives and friends of Raffi Palyan and the Lusine Zakaryan-Khoren Palyan couple. The board of trustees of the museum has established a scholarship named after Lusine Zakaryan in almost all musical educational institutions, with which talented young vocalists are encouraged.