Father Manuk Zeynalyan performed a house blessing in Ashtarak


Since the first century, the apostles, faithful to the message of Christ, visited the homes of believers to proclaim the Good News of the Holy Nativity and the Glorious Resurrection and to distribute blessings. Their followers, the priests, do the same after the feasts of the Holy Nativity and the Resurrection.
 

On the occasion of the feast of St. Sarkis, the Holy Reliquary of St. Sarkis the Warrior was brought to the shrine of Ush


With the blessing of the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, the youth of the youth associations of the diocese gathered for a joint prayer at the St. Sarkis Monastery Complex in Ushi. A festive Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served at the monastery complex. On the occasion of the feast, the Relic of St. Sargis the Warrior was brought to the holy place in Ushi by the order of His Holiness.
 

Members of the Youth Unions of the Aragatsotn Diocese Presented Their Observations and Ideas


After participating in the Liturgy and Blessing Order at the St. Sargis Monastery in Ushi, members of the Youth Unions of the Aragatsotn Diocese gathered at the Gulameryan Armenian Youth House in Ashtarak. Father Paren and Father Sargis spoke with the young people about the behavior of the saint who was martyred for the Christian faith. The basis for this format of meetings was laid by the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan.
 

Archimandrite Ruben Zargaryan performed the blessing of the youth


The Sunday liturgy at the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Vedi was celebrated by the newly appointed vicar of the prelate Archimandrite Ruben Zargaryan. He was recently appointed vicar of the of the Masyatsotn Diocese, when the Mother See dismissed and declared the former prelate defrocked. Since his appointment, Archimandrite Ruben has been celebrating liturgies in the churches of the diocese and getting to know the faithful of the communities. After the liturgy, the faithful gathered around Archimandrite Ruben and assured him that they are the protector and supporter of the Mother Church in this time of trials.

Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan’s Detention Extended for Another 2 Months


The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction has extended the detention of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan for another two months. Archbishop Arshak was detained on December 5 for a two-month period. A criminal case has been opened against him on suspicion of illegal drug trafficking, according to which he ordered a protester to “plant” drugs in his bag in 2018. The defense continues to insist that the accusation is fabricated and not substantiated by any factual evidence.
 

The issue of the detention of the Primate of the Shirak Diocese, Archbishop Michael, was examined in the Court of Appeals


In the Court of Appeals, the defenders of Archbishop Michael demanded a new judicial act and recognition of the innocence of the bishop, while the prosecution demanded that the bishop be kept behind bars for another six months. The court will make a decision on the measure of restraint for the bishop at the next court hearing.
 

The Court of Appeal replaced the preventive measure of Archbishop Michael with house arrest


The court forbade the bishop from leaving home, receiving guests, making telephone calls and conducting correspondence. Archbishop Michael appealed to the European Court of Human Rights regarding the violation of his rights. The complaint states facts of illegal detention, violation of freedom of expression, as well as deprivation of liberty and criminal prosecution for political purposes.
 

Harutyun Mkrtchyan's testimony contradicts the testimony of witnesses in the case. Lawyer


The court hearing in the case of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II's brother, Gevorg Nersisyan, and his son, Hambardzum Nersisyan, took place. They were arrested on charges of allegedly obstructing election campaigning during the election campaign in the Vagharshapat community. The defense is convinced that the absence of a crime and the numerous pieces of evidence in the case materials indicate that the criminal prosecution of Gevorg and Hambardzum Nersisyan is unfounded. The interrogation of witness Harutyun Mkrtchyan will continue on February 17.
 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the memory of the priests of St. Ghevondyan


On the occasion of the memory of the priests of St. Ghevondyan, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians, which was attended by 217 clergymen serving in dioceses and church structures. After the Liturgy, an award ceremony for priests took place. Father Yesayi Artenyan was awarded the honor of senior priesthood from the Mother See, and Father Daniel Garajyan from the Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria. 30 priests were granted the right to wear a floral phylon, and 13 priests were granted the right to wear a priestly cross.
 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast of St. Vardanants


Under the leadership of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, a Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served in the Mother Cathedral of the Mother of God. The Patriarch, distributing a blessing to the faithful, entered the Mother Cathedral accompanied by a church procession. The feast of Vardanants unites in its meaning the memory of the heroes who defended the homeland in all times.
 

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the first andastan of the year was held


In the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the leadership of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the monks walked around the church. They blessed the four corners of the world with the cross, the khatchvar and the gospel, and asked for fruitfulness for the year. At the end of the ceremony, with a candle lit from the lamp of the Holy Altar of the Descent of the Mother Cathedral, His Holiness, accompanied by a procession of clergy and believers, walked to the monastic building of the Mother See, next to which he lit the bonfire of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the national symbol of the feast.

 

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the first andastan of the year was held


In the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the leadership of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the monks walked around the church. They blessed the four corners of the world with the cross, the khatchvar and the gospel, and asked for fruitfulness for the year. At the end of the ceremony, with a candle lit from the lamp of the Holy Altar of the Descent of the Mother Cathedral, His Holiness, accompanied by a procession of clergy and believers, walked to the monastic building of the Mother See, next to which he lit the bonfire of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the national symbol of the feast.