The 16th Armenian Summer Festival was held in London


Diocese of The Armenian Church of the United Kingdom & Ireland
 
Recently, the 16th Armenian Summer Festival was held in London with the efforts of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland and the organizations and volunteer groups united around it, which brought together our compatriots under one roof. 
During the event, the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, delivered a blessing speech, and all proceeds raised by the festival will be directed to the educational and charitable programs of the diocese.

The trial in the "Holy Struggle" case has resumed


During the trial resumed on July 23 at the "Shengavit" residence of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction, the court decided to replace the house arrest of "Holy Struggle" participant Igor Sargsyan with administrative supervision, and to leave the detention of NA deputy Artur Sargsyan unchanged. 
The next court hearing has been scheduled for July 30.

Akhpradzor


During the 44-day war, houses and areas in the village of Akhpradzor in the Gegharkunik region were set on fire. This caused about 40 families to leave the village. Now, only 46 families live in the village.

The Holy Struggle Trial Has Been Underway for 1 Year


Over the past year, no solid evidence has been presented in court that would substantiate the serious charges brought against the “Holy Struggle” trial participants or justify the detention of those expressing their civic stance. Instead, the defense team has published facts that substantiate the fabricated nature and political subtext of the trial.
 

Court Changes Nersisyans’ Movement Restrictions


At the court hearing in the case of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II’s brother, Gevorg Nersisyan, and nephew, Hambardzum Nersisyan, the defense lawyers filed a motion to change the Nersisyans’ preventive measure. They argued that the evidence examination phase has ended, therefore they cannot influence the course of the trial. The court partially granted the defense lawyers’ motion, changing the movement restrictions.
 

Prosecutors Present Hunting Weapon as Evidence in Sacred Struggle Case


The defense countered by stating that the weapon is legal and that Hayk Shahnazaryan is a member of a hunting union. The attorneys tried to ask the prosecutors if there was any factual evidence linking the legally held weapon to the charges. The public prosecutors insisted that they would present the relevance and interconnection of the evidence in detail in their closing arguments.
 

Syunik- Khot


The border village of Khot, like neighboring Shinuhayr and Halidzor, was founded as a result of the relocation of an old settlement. Due to the lack of basic living conditions, the village was relocated in the 1960s by the decision of the Soviet leadership, and people left their ancestral homes. Due to its proximity to the road to Tatev, Khot is noticeably more lively than other border settlements.

Court changes Archbishop Bagrat’s detention to house arrest


The news of changing Archbishop Bagrat’s detention to house arrest came as a surprise to the participants in the court session and to the Archbishop, as in December the same judge had rejected the change in the preventive measure. It is noteworthy that all other members of the struggle have been under house arrest or administrative control for months. Lawyers claim that this case was initiated for political purposes, the main goal of which was to stop the process of the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement. The next court session in the case was scheduled for June 11, at 3:30 p.m.
 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Second Palm Sunday


The Second Palm Sunday, which heralds the Lord's triumphal entry into Upper Jerusalem, is celebrated only by the Armenian Church. The sacred tradition is recounted in detail in the hymn "This Wonderful Sign" written by Catholicos Grigor the Witness. The festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the St. Hripsime Church in the old district of Goris by the Primate of the Syunik Diocese, Bishop Makar Hakobyan.
 

Archbishop Bagrat Celebrates 55th Birthday in Prison


Supporters of Archbishop Bagrat held a march in Yerevan, then gathered near the NSS building. The Archbishop has been a political prisoner for 330 days, having been detained for stopping the “Holy Struggle”. Leading the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement, he tried to use all his authority and spiritual strength to serve national unity. The Archbishop proves every day that a true shepherd never abandons his flock.
 

Court extends house arrest of 2 candidates running in parliamentary elections


During the hearing on the holy struggle case, Judge Karen Farkhoyan extended the house arrest of Artur Sargsyan for another two months. Regardless of the objections and petitions of the defense, the judge also extended the house arrest of MP candidate Igor Sargsyan for two months. Thus, the court has limited the participation of two candidates running in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the campaign.
 

Episcopal ordination and consecration by the Catholicos of All Armenians


The Vicar of the Diocese of Gegharkunik, Bishop Isahak Poghosyan, the Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan, the Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Anania Tsaturyan, and the Director of the Evangelization Center of the Mother See, Bishop Zakaria Baghumyan, were ordained bishops by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II. During the pontifical liturgy, His Holiness prayed for the ordinations, asking the Holy Spirit for graces to be true shepherds. In the coming days, the newly consecrated bishops will celebrate the liturgies of the ordination in the Mother Cathedral.