The Armenian Genocide and the Armenian Church


In the "Taghavar" studio, Reverend Father Ararat Poghosyan and prose writer Hovhannes Yeranyan discussed the losses suffered by the Armenian Church, the preservation of the memory of the Genocide, and the Church's role as a major center for humanitarian aid. They also addressed the massacres of the late 19th century, the significance of the 2015 canonization, and the Church's responsibility regarding the restoration of historical justice.

Love for Enemies (6:27–36)


Why does Christ command us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us?
What does it mean to "love one's enemy"? What did the Jews understand by the term "enemy"? What does God command in the Old Testament? To whom do these precepts primarily apply, and what is the essence of Christianity? Father Markos Mangasaryan expounds upon this Gospel passage.
 

Moses: An Identity Crisis


How do we perceive the identity crisis when analyzing the life and journey of Moses?
Under what historical circumstances was Moses born, and how did he come to be in the palace? What does Moses see outside the palace? A question arises for Moses: why does God tolerate all this? Bishop Ruben Zargaryan provides the commentary.
 

Four-Day Meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council Launches at the Mother See


On September 15, the regular four-day meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council commenced at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
The agenda includes issues related to the Church's canonical and diocesan life, its statutes, the activities of spiritual-educational institutions, and the strengthening of Christian education within communities, as well as key issues concerning Church-State relations and the 23 ongoing court cases involving the Church.
 

Festive Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Mother Cathedral


On September 13, the festive Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—the last of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church and the principal feast dedicated to the Holy Cross—was celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. In his sermon, the celebrant, Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, reflected on the historical origins of the Feast of the Exaltation and the life-giving power of the Cross.
In the evening, presided over by the Armenian Pontiff, the sacred relic of the Lord’s Cross—adorned with basil and flowers—was brought out of the Mother Cathedral, and the solemn ceremony of the Exaltation of the Cross and the Andastan service were performed.
 

Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Members of "L'Œuvre d'Orient"


On September 12, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All Armenians received members of the French humanitarian organization "L'Œuvre d'Orient," led by Bishop Hugues de Woillemont.
His Holiness highly commended the organization's 170-year history of service and the consistent support it has provided to Christian communities in the East and to the Armenian people.
 

Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Doctors from the "Luys" Association


On September 11, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All Armenians received a delegation led by Levon Khachatryan, President of the French "Luys" Association, comprising both Armenian and French doctors. From September 5 to 8, the association had carried out a medical-humanitarian mission in remote border villages of the Tavush region, and during the meeting, the Supreme Patriarch highly commended the doctors' noble commitment and their activities in Armenia.
 

How a State Is Built and Dismantled


What does it mean when the incumbent government's program is unconstitutional, courts are adjudicating unconstitutional proceedings, and the citizen is left unprotected—yet is simultaneously the very source of power?
How are states dismantled and created, and why is an independent judicial system considered an essential attribute of statehood? What constitutes the usurpation of power, and what roles do the social contract and the media play in upholding democracy?
Anna Sargsyan spoke with public administration expert Hovhannes Avetisyan.
 

The Beatitudes according to Luke (6:17–26)


On a level place, Jesus began to speak to a group of disciples and the great multitude that had come from various places to listen and find healing. Jesus delivered the four Beatitudes and the four Woes to those gathered.
Why is it necessary to hear the word of God? Who are the poor, and to whom does the Kingdom of Heaven belong? Who is persecuted today, and who faces woe? Why is the true word of true prophets rejected, while the false word of false prophets is accepted? Father Markos Mangasaryan interprets this Gospel passage.

The Story of a Carpet: Initiative Members at the Mother See


At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness the Catholicos of All Armenians received the participants of the “The Story of a Carpet” initiative, who, under the leadership of the spiritual director of the Youth Center, Father Harutyun Vardapet Kirakosyan, presented the Armenian Patriarch with a unique dragon carpet made by the students of the Youth Center in Arabkir during one academic year.
His Holiness thanked the AGBU and the participants of the initiative and conveyed his blessing and appreciation to the spiritual director of the Youth Center, the priestly class, the directors, and the educators.

 

The Selection of the Twelve Apostles (6:12-16)


After praying all night, how does Christ choose his 12 apostles? Who were they and what was their mission and destiny? In what order does the Evangelist list the names of the apostles and why? Who founded our Church? The Gospel passage is read by Father Markos Mangasaryan.

The Floral Robe, a Divider of Brothers


Why do Jacob's 10 sons begin to envy their younger brother, Joseph, and what conspiratorial plan do they carry out? How does the perception of parental love affect the relationships between children, and why does the feeling of a lack of love for oneself cause jealousy and envy? What does the choice made by God imply: vanity or responsibility and a call to mission, and what symbolic meaning did the brothers' stripping of Joseph's robe have? How do our actions later affect the lives of our generations? Bishop Ruben Zargaryan comments.