Believers at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church prayed for prisoners and those deprived of their liberty


After the evening service, the faithful prayed at the liturgy served at the Mother Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator for the freedom of the captives, the consolation of the dead, and the peace of the country. Father Arnak Harutyunyan noted that during these 4 days, the main prayer of the Holy Liturgy is addressed to God by the faithful, asking that the Lord assist in the release of captives and detainees.

The faithful prayed for the freedom of the prisoners, Samvel Karapetyan, and the archbishops


On July 5, the church will celebrate the feast of the discovery of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator. Under the direction of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on all days of the preceding week, a Liturgy will be served in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church in Yerevan, during which believers pray for the freedom of the captives, the comfort of the afflicted, and the peace of the homeland. On June 30, believers and clergy prayed for the unjustly imprisoned Archbishops Bagrat and Michael and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, who are being illegally persecuted by the authorities of the day and are under arrest.

The relic of Saint Stepanos the Proto-Deacon has been moved to the church of the village of Chknagh


On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the consecration of the St. Stepanos Church in the village of Chknagh, by the Patriarchal direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the relic of Saint Stepanos the Proto-Deacon was transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Chknagh. The faithful communed with the power emanating from holiness. The celebrant invited the faithful to pray for the illegally detained Archbishops Michael and Bagrat and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan.

The students of the miniature painting class of the Youth Center won the "Children's Colors" exhibition


Five students from the miniature painting class of the Hrach and Susan Tufayan Youth Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin won first prize in the "Children's Colors" exhibition-competition. The competition was organized by the Union of Artists and the "Daveyan Artcolor" organization. 350 children participated in the exhibition organized by the Union of Artists.

The Church of St. Mesrop in the village of Akunk, Gegharkunik region, has been reconsecrated


The Church of St. Mesrop in Akunk was built in the 15th-17th centuries. During the Soviet years, it was turned into a warehouse. The Tadevosyan brothers began restoring the dilapidated, ruined church years ago, but it remained unfinished. In the end, the sanctuary stood thanks to the large and small donations and joint efforts of the people of Akunk.

On the feast of the Holy Etchmiadzin, after the evening service, the Andastan service was performed


The clergy blessed the four corners of the world, asking the Lord for peace and prosperity. Previously, the Andastan ceremony was performed in the gardens, and fields. The clergy prayed for a peaceful and fruitful year. Now this ritual is performed mainly in the church area. The ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan.

The Brotherhood Assembly will begin in the Mother See on June 17


During the Araratian Week holidays, priests, archimandrites, and proto-archimandrites from Armenia and the Diaspora will participate in the Divine Liturgies and Assembly of the festive week with a prayer gathering. Prior to that, the clergy visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex on June 16, where a
intercessory service was performed.

 

Tenth anniversary of the consecration of St. Anna Church celebrated in Yerevan


Ten years ago, the Catholicos of All Armenians consecrated the Church of St. Anna, located at the Sayat-Nova-Abovyan crossroads. The new church was built next to the 12th-13th century Catholic Church of the Holy Mother of God. After the Sunday liturgy, a requiem service was held in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Hrayr and Anna Hovnanyan. Afterwards, a ceremony was held at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall.

Students from Youth centers celebrated Children's Day in Vardenis


The students of the Youth Center congratulated the children of the city of Vardenis in the Gegharkunik region and the surrounding communities with a festive concert program. The Youth Centers of Yerevan, Echmiadzin, and Ashtarak participated in the concert held at the Mher Mkrtchyan Palace of Culture. The students of the Youth Centers ended the day with a pilgrimage to Hayravank.

 

On Children's Day, educators and parents took to the stage at the Youth Center in Arabkir


The teachers of the national song and dance, painting, sculpture, kanon, dhol classes and the choir conductor performed. Latin American and folk dance groups presented guest numbers. The Arabkir Youth Center is trying to create a warm and positive atmosphere for the students with these initiatives.

 

A student from the Arabkir Youth Center gave a solo concert at the Naregatsi Art Institute


The 11-year-old kanona player studies at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and is one of the first students in the kanona class of the AGBU Arabkir Youth Center. She participated in the "Art Music" International Art Competition-Festival held at the Konstantin Sarajyan Music School and twice won the 1st prize in her age group.

Young people celebrated Ascension Day in Tumo Park with national songs and dances


After the Holy Liturgy, the young people continued the celebration with national songs and dances, folk games, wreath-weaving, and casting lots. The Rudik Haroyan “Masunq” traditional song and dance ensemble performed at the event. The young people treated those present to festive dishes: katnapur, gata.