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.
 

The Brotherhood and Officials of the Mother See Congratulated the Patriarch of All Armenians on His 75th Birthday


On August 21, the episcopal order, priests, deacons, secular officials, and young people from the Diaspora congratulated His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on his 75th birthday at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Patriarch expressed his gratitude and appreciation to those present, emphasizing that both in the past and now, our spiritual and national life remains strong through the efforts of the clergy and laity.

Feast of the Assumption, Blessing of Grapes, at the Mother See


Today, the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God brought together thousands of believers in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, on the occasion of which a festive Liturgy was celebrated by Archbishop Haykazun Najaryan, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. 
At the end of the Liturgy, the pontifical procession moved to the Holy Trdat Open Altar, where the Armenian Patriarch performed the blessing of grapes and, addressing his people around the world, urged: “Continue to build our country with optimism.” After the ceremony, the blessed grapes were distributed to the people.

Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Youth of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina


On August 6, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, received 17-18-year-old graduates of national and secondary schools of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina and their accompanying educators. 
His Holiness urged the youth to demonstrate zeal in their studies, to bring benefit to the homeland and the Mother Church in the future, and to discover the mystery of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Feast of the Transfiguration in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin


On July 12, on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, a festive liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. 
During his speech, the liturgist Karekin Vardapet Hambardzumyan referred to the commemoration of Christ appearing to the disciples in divine glory on Mount Tabor, noting that every day can provide an opportunity for transformation. 
At the end of the ceremony, the Armenian Patriarch blessed the people on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast of the Holy Translators


The pilgrims visited the Holy Mashtots Church in Oshakan, participated in the liturgy, and prayed for the intercession of the Holy Patriarch Sahak and the Holy Mashtots Vardapet for the Armenian nation and people. Armenia is one of the unique countries that honors translators with a separate feast. These feasts summarize the secrets of national identity, preservation of writing, language, and enlightenment.
 

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast of the Holy Etchmiadzin


The Holy and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness, the clergy and the faithful prayed for the stability and eternal radiance of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Amid the sounds of the Patriarchal greeting, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, distributed a blessing to the people gathered at the Mother See on the occasion of the feast of the Catholicos of Holy Etchmiadzin.

 

Catholicos of All Armenians Voted at the 14/11 Polling Station in Etchmiadzin


His Holiness arrived at the polling station accompanied by the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. After the election, the Patriarch of All Armenians answered questions from journalists gathered near the polling station.
 

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.
 

Catholicos of All Armenians Speaks to Priestly Assembly About the Situation Around the Church


About 200 clergy serving in the dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church - priests, deacons, archpriests, diocesan leaders, and members of the Mother See - participated in a priestly assembly at the Mother Cathedral on May 26. Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the chairman of the organizing committee for priestly assemblies for 20 years, did not participate because he is under house arrest. The meeting was attended by the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, who is under administrative supervision. This year, the priestly assembly was held in the absence of high-ranking clergy and a group of priests who joined the anti-church campaign. The Armenian Patriarch spoke with the priests about the worrying developments around the Church and the persecutions being carried out against clergy.

Republican Wishes Held at Mother Cathedral on the Occasion of the Holiday


On the occasion of the Republic Day, a Republican wish was held at the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The clergy and the faithful prayed for the stability, peaceful and secure life of the Republic of Armenia. After the Republican wish, Bishop Ruben Zargaryan celebrated the first episcopal liturgy in front of the Holy Table of the Descent in the Mother Cathedral of the Nativity. His Holiness was ordained and consecrated by the Armenian Patriarch last Sunday, on the feast of Pentecost.
 

Church relics brought out in Holy Etchmiadzin ahead of Araratian Week celebrations


With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the relics of the Cross of Christ, St. Gregory the Illuminator, and St. Sahak Partev, Patriarch, were brought out for the worship of the faithful. On the feast of the memory of St. Elijah the Prophet, a liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral under the presiding authority of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, by Father Mkhitar Yepremyan, a member of the Brotherhood of the Mother See.