The trial in the case of Archpriest Michael has reached the stage of closing arguments


The trial began on August 15, two weeks ago. A court hearing has been scheduled almost every day, often continuing after business hours. The main hearings concluded last week, on August 25. The prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments at the August 28 hearing. The next court hearing is scheduled for September 2.

 

Archbishop Michael faces fines and up to five years in prison


The trial of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese, which lasted only 2 weeks, is coming to an end. The public prosecutor has filed a motion to find Archbishop Mikayel guilty of making public calls to seize power and forcibly overthrow the constitutional order. During the court session, Yerem Sargsyan described the attitude of Judge Armine Meliksetyan as biased and expressed his belief that she is unable to make a fair verdict.

The judge rejected the motion of Archbishop Michael's defense attorneys without providing any solid reasons


The defense lawyers filed a motion to declare the searches conducted by law enforcement officers in the prelacy illegal, because the archbishop or his representative was not present during them, the archbishop's lawyer was not allowed inside, the video recording was carried out by an unknown subject, and the seized computer was not packaged in the prescribed manner on site at the time of seizure. The court rejected the defense lawyers' motion to declare the evidence inadmissible without providing any solid reasons. Archbishop Michael's defense lawyers described the court's decision as illegal and biased.

 

The court considered the thoughts of Archpriest Michael during his trial


The court discussed the thoughts and reflections extracted from Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan's personal diary. The lawyers noted that Archbishop Mikayel is being tried not only for his opinion, but also for his thoughts. They emphasized that the search conducted at the Archbishop's residence and the evidence obtained as a result are inadmissible. The defense attached the etymology of the word "call" to the case as evidence.

 

A blessing ceremony was held at the Izmirlian Medical Center, operating under the auspices of the Mother See


Father Hovhannes Torgomyan performed a grape blessing ceremony for the staff, patients, and caregivers. He visits patients every day, performs a prayer service in the intensive care unit, and blesses patients before surgeries. After the ceremony, the grapes were distributed to those present so that the blessed fruit would enter each person’s home, bringing success and abundance to the families.

Archpriest Michael's defense lawyers have filed a motion to disqualify the judge


The lawyers have recorded that Judge Armine Meliksetyan has a very negative attitude towards Archbishop Michael. The judge is biased and is interested in ensuring that Archbishop Michael’s case remains in her proceedings. In their assessment, the judge is examining the case in gross violation of the rules of jurisdiction. The Archbishop gave the interviews in Shirak region, therefore the case should be examined in the Shirak region court, but the judge is doing everything possible to make the decision personally. With the lawyers’ mediation, the court allowed everyone to see the Archbishop, except journalists.

A festive liturgy was served at the Mother Cathedral on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary


At the end of the festive Liturgy, the solemn procession, led by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, moved to the open altar of St. Trdat, where the ceremony of blessing the grapes was performed. First, thanksgiving was offered to God for the harvest of the fields and vineyards, then the clergy prayed for the Lord's blessing for the fruits offered to the temple. After the ceremony, the grapes were distributed to the people so that the blessed fruit would enter each person's home, bringing success and abundance.

The city of Echmiadzin will have a well-maintained park


One of the pro-government media outlets published a video about the city park of Etchmiadzin, which belongs to the Mother See, claiming that the residents of Etchmiadzin are deprived of the opportunity to enjoy their leisure time in green areas. In reality, large-scale landscaping works have been carried out in the Mother See. Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative and Economic Department of the Mother See, clarified the deadlines for the improvement works of the park and the reasons for the delay.

Transfiguration liturgy celebrated in the Mother Cathedral


The liturgy was served by Bishop Arshak Khachatryan. The Bishop called for clearing thoughts, dispelling the fog of the horizon. He wished that the Armenian people, shattered by the losses and pains of the war, would be strengthened by hope and faith, that dignity and honor would water our victorious path, and that the righteous hand of the Lord would weigh heavily on those who fight against God and His Holy Church. At the end of the festive liturgy, the faithful came to meet the patriarchal procession to receive the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

 

Samvel Safaryan


Samvel Safaryan was wounded three times in one day. Samvel was serving in the military in the village of Shekher, Martuni region of Artsakh, his birthplace, when the war began. The young commander was in positions with 4 snipers under his command. He was wounded for the first time while observing an enemy trench, when Azerbaijani soldiers attacked his trench and threw grenades. At that time, Samvel's right hand was wounded, the second time on the way to the hospital, and the third time in the head.

Prayers were held in the Mother Cathedral for the detained archbishops and Samvel Karapetyan


Bishop Mushegh Babayan urged the faithful to pray, as only in this way can they dispel the loneliness of the imprisoned Archbishops Bagrat and Michael, and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. The Bishop invited the faithful to ask for the Lord's support for them, so that they can overcome difficult trials and restore justice.

Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Mother Cathedral for those in prison


The liturgy held on Monday was attended by state and public figures of Artsakh, as well as family members of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Azerbaijan. Archbishop Vrtanes noted that the military-political leadership of Artsakh has been in Azerbaijani captivity for about two years, which is a more spiritual than political test for our Christians and Armenians. According to him, the enemy is judging them because they personally testify to the right of Artsakh to independence. He also called on everyone to remember in daily prayers the imprisoned Archbishops Michael and Bagrat, as well as the devoted benefactor of the church, Samvel Karapetyan.