Feast of the Holy Cross at the Zoravor Surb Astvatsatsin Church in Apna


On September 13—the Feast of the Holy Cross—the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Zoravor Holy Mother of God Church in the village of Apna (Aragatsotn Diocese) by Rev. Fr. Maghakia Gevorgyan. The faithful venerated a relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ, brought from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The day also marked the anniversary of the church's consecration; the sanctuary had been consecrated five years earlier by the Diocesan Primate, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan.

 

Two-Day Concert Program Dedicated to Hrair Hovnanian’s 96th Birthday


On September 11 and 12, a two-day open-air concert program dedicated to Hrair Hovnanian’s 96th birthday was held in the courtyard of the Katoghike Holy Mother of God and Saint Anna churches, organized by the Hovnanian Family Foundation.
Pianist Hayk Melikyan and the Komitas Choir of the Komitas Conservatory performed on September 11, while the qanun players' ensemble of the "Hrach and Susan Toufayan" Center for Armenian Youth (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin) and the "Nairyan" vocal ensemble performed on September 12.

 

Two-Day Concert Program in the Courtyard of Saint Anna Church


On September 11, the Hovnanian Family Foundation hosted a concert evening in the courtyard of the Katoghike Holy Mother of God and Saint Anna churches—located at the intersection of Abovyan and Sayat-Nova streets—to mark the 96th birth anniversary of the foundation's founder, the American-Armenian philanthropist Hrair Hovnanian. The event featured performances by pianist Hayk Melikyan and the "Komitas" Choir of the Komitas Conservatory.
The program continues on the evening of September 12 with performances by the "Hrach and Susan Tufayan" Qanun Quartet and the "Nairyan" Vocal Ensemble.

The Feast of the Birth of the Holy Mother of God Celebrated at the Mother Cathedral


On September 8, a festive Divine Liturgy dedicated to the Birth of the Holy Mother of God was celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin by Father Andreas Ezekyan. During the sermon, the minister reflected on the beloved image of the Virgin Mary, emphasizing that her birth is one of the most important links in the chain of salvation of humanity.

 

His Holiness the Patriarch received the clergy of the Masyatsotn Diocese


On August 25, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received clergy of the Masyatsotn Diocese. The Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, congratulated the Armenian Patriarch on the occasion of his 75th birthday and expressed gratitude for his fatherly care.
His Holiness the Patriarch highly appreciated the spiritual and devoted service of the clergy of the diocese and their unwavering dedication to the Armenian Church in the difficult situation they have created.

 

Blessing of grapes at the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Ghukasavan


A prayer and a Grape Blessing ceremony were held at the renovated and restored Holy Virgin Mary Church in Ghukasavan community, Ararat region, led by the Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, with the participation of the spiritual shepherd of the area, Father Grigor Hovhannisyan. 
Archaeologists Artak Gnuni and Levon Mkrtchyan participated in the restoration work, which began four years ago on the initiative of Vache Topuzyan. The restoration project was authored by architect Amiran Badishyan, and the project was supervised by Garegin Knyazyan.

Kanachut St. Gevorg Church Celebrates Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Grape Blessing


On the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, Primate of the Diocese, celebrated a liturgy at the St. Gevorg Church in the Kanachut community of the Masyatsotn Diocese and performed a Grape blessing ceremony. 
During his sermon, the Bishop expressed his appreciation to the spiritual minister of this pastoral ministry, Father Beniamin Tsaturyan, the community members and the pilgrims.

15th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Holy Nshan Church in Berkarat


On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the consecration of the Holy Nshan Church in the village of Berkarat, Aragatsotn region, a Holy and Immortal Liturgy was served. The celebrant was Father Nshan Alaverdyan, and the spiritual pastor of the area was Father Hayk Kocharyan.
Under the Pontifical direction of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and with the blessing of the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, a rite of the Andastan was performed with the Khachatryan Relic of Jesus Christ brought to Berkarat from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
 

Day of the Covenant at the Holy Mother of God Church in Aragats


The Holy Mother of God Church in the Aragats village of the Aragatsotn Diocese celebrated the 12th anniversary of the re-consecration of the sanctuary by the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, and the day of the covenant, on which the relic of the Cross of Christ was brought from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. 
The festive Liturgy was served by the spiritual pastor of the church, Father Maghakia Gevorgyan. 

20th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Church of Arevshat


On July 23, a liturgy was served at the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary in the village of Arevshat, Masyatsotn Diocese, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the sanctuary.
During the ceremony, the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, delivered a sermon.

Commemoration of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Sandukht the Virgin


On July 18, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the commemoration of St. Thaddeus the Apostle and St. Sandukht the Virgin, daughter of King Sanatruk, the first Armenian martyr.
In the St. Thaddeus Chapel of the Candlelight Prayer Hall of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where the sacred relics of the apostle are enshrined, Father Grigor Hovhannisyan celebrated a liturgy with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
The clergy and the faithful prayed for the strengthening of faith and the peaceful life of the Armenian world.

Nork Youth Center's "Narek" Dance School Wins Festival in Italy


The "Narek" Dance School of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and AGBU Youth Center has returned victorious from the International Performing Arts Festival held in Pineto, Italy, winning the Grand Prix, the main prize.
Among the groups from 12 countries, only the "Narek" Dance School participated from Armenia, with a 20-member team, presenting the performances "Tsaghkadzor" and "Khio".
All these performances, tours and victories of the ensemble, which regularly performs in different countries and returns with victories, are preceded and followed by long, persistent work.