Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 24, in solemn observance of the Memorial Day of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. On this sacred occasion, the reliquary of the Holy Martyrs was brought forth for the veneration of the faithful. The principal celebrant of the Divine Liturgy was His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Head of the Postgraduate Division of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of the Mother See. His Holiness Karekin II offered his patriarchal message to the Armenian faithful worldwide during the liturgy. Following the Divine Liturgy, a solemn procession of clergy bearing the reliquary of the Holy Martyrs made its way to the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral.
Catholicos of All Armenians Visits the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Catholicos of All Armenians Visits the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

On April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by the clergy of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex to honor the memory of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Following the laying of a wreath at the memorial, an intercessory prayer service was offered under the presidency of His Holiness in remembrance of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
Message of His Holiness Karekin II on the Commemoration Day of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide

Message of His Holiness Karekin II on the Commemoration Day of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide

Today, in Armenia and throughout the diaspora, we solemnly commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, remembering in prayerful humility our holy martyrs, who were crowned with martyrdom “for the faith and for the homeland”. At the dawn of the 20th century, the monstrous genocide orchestrated by the Ottoman Empire claimed the lives of one and a half million of our people. Yet the horrors of massacre and dispossession did not extinguish the enduring strength of our nation. “Afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)—our people endured, placing their hope in the Crucified and Risen Savior of the world. Through daily struggles for justice, they survived, steadfast in their identity and sustained by the hope of the ultimate vindication of the Armenian Cause.
Feast of the Holy Resurrection Celebrated at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Feast of the Holy Resurrection Celebrated at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 20, on the occasion of the Glorious Feast of the Holy Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the Divine and Immortal Liturgy in the Spiritual Center of All Armenians— the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. To the blessed tolling of bells, His Holiness was solemnly led in procession, with processional crosses and sacred banners borne before him, from the Patriarchal residence to the Cathedral of the Descent of the Only-Begotten. In attendance at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy were members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, benefactors of the Mother See, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in the Republic of Armenia, political and public figures, and a multitude of faithful pilgrims from across Armenia and the diaspora.
Mother See Condemns the ‘Western Azerbaijan’ Exhibit in Warsaw for Falsifying History

Mother See Condemns the ‘Western Azerbaijan’ Exhibit in Warsaw for Falsifying History

On April 8, 2025, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Poland organized an exhibition titled “Western Azerbaijan: In Our Cultural Memory” in Warsaw, as part of Azerbaijan’s ongoing campaign of falsification and propaganda. The initiative reflects its territorial claims against Armenia and attempts to appropriate the Armenian people’s centuries-old cultural and spiritual heritage. Efforts to rewrite history and present Armenian towns, sacred sites, and monuments in Armenia and Artsakh as “Azerbaijani” or “Albanian” are deeply objectionable and must be condemned. Such actions not only hinder peace in the region but also undermine efforts to build solidarity and peaceful coexistence. Culture must be a bridge between nations, not a tool for political gain. We urge the international community and cultural institutions to assess and strongly condemn these falsifications and Azerbaijan’s actions against the Armenian people.
Service of Darkness at the Mother Cathedral

Service of Darkness at the Mother Cathedral

On the evening of April 17, Maundy Thursday, the Service of Darkness was conducted in the Mother Cathedral of the Descent of the Only-Begotten, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Washing of the Feet Service at the Mother See

Washing of the Feet Service at the Mother See

On April 17, Maundy Thursday, under the auspices of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Washing of the Feet service was solemnly celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of the Descent of the Only-Begotten. Following readings from Holy Scripture, His Holiness blessed the water and oil placed upon the Holy Altar. Then, following the example of the Only-Begotten Son, His Holiness knelt to wash and anoint with oil the feet of members of the monastic clergy of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and lay faithful: His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan; the Reverend Father Hieromonk Mashtots Mkhitaryan; the Honored Deacon Arman Manukyan; students of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary Deacon Davit Ghambaryan and Psalmist Armen Grigoryan; students of the Faculty of Theology of the Yerevan State University Davit Grigoryan and Artur Manukyan; conscript soldiers Khachik Minasyan and Gor Gevorgyan; as well as several youths.
Maundy Thursday at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Maundy Thursday at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 17, Maundy Thursday, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church commemorated the Last Supper of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. On this sacred occasion, the day commenced at the Mother Cathedral with the solemn Rite of Penitents, thereafter proceeding with the celebration of the Midday Hour. After the service, in the Cathedral of the Descent of the Only-Begotten, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Deputy Grand Sacristan of the Mother See, the Reverend Father Davit Ohanyan, Hieromonk, in remembrance of the institution of the Holy Eucharist by our Lord Jesus Christ through the giving of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. During the Divine Liturgy, a homily on the Mystery of Holy Communion, composed by Saint Basil the Great of Caesarea, was solemnly proclaimed.
Great Week Service Schedule at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Great Week Service Schedule at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Holy Tuesday – Remembrance of the Ten Virgins (April 15)

Evening Service – 5:30 PM

Maundy Thursday (April 17)

Morning Service, followed by the Order of Penitents – 8:00 AM

Divine Liturgy – 10:30 AM

Order of the Washing of the Feet – 4:00 PM

Order of the Eclipse – 7:00 PM

Holy Friday (April 18)

Order of the Crucifixion – 12:00 PM

Evening Service and Order of the Burial of Christ – 5:30 PM

Holy Saturday (April 19)

Morning Service – 8:00 AM

Candlelight Divine Liturgy – 5:30 PM

Feast of the Holy Resurrection (April 20)

Patriarchal Easter Divine Liturgy – 10:30 AM

 
Great Week Commences on the 14th of April

Great Week Commences on the 14th of April

Great Week is the week following Palm Sunday, culminating in the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Great Monday commemorates the Creation of Heaven and Earth, the barren fig tree, and the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem. Great Tuesday commemorates the Flood, Noah's family salvation, the parable of The Ten Maidens, and the Last Judgment. Great Wednesday commemorates the Anointment and Betrayal of Christ. Great Thursday commemorates The Last Supper, at which Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist by giving Holy Communion; it includes the Washing of the Feet. On Great Friday we commemorate the Crucifixion and Burial of our Lord. Great Saturday commemorates the destruction of hell. Easter Vigil celebrates salvation in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God at the Mother See

Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God at the Mother See

On April 7, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God, which is also celebrated as the Day of Motherhood and Beauty. By the directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, this day has been designated a day for blessing women awaiting the joy of motherhood. The Divine and Immortal Liturgy was celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the celebrant was the Rev. Fr. Ghevond Tyomkin, Acting Dean of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Seminary of the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, based in St. Petersburg. In his homily, the Reverend Father reflected on the significance of the day: “Today, as we celebrate the Annunciation of the Mother of God, we turn our gaze to the Holy Virgin and, through her example, learn to trust, to believe in God, and to yield humbly to the Lord’s will, that we may be found worthy of eternal and imperishable blessings.”
Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on the Feast of the Resurrection

Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on the Feast of the Resurrection

With the joyful tidings of Christ’s Holy Resurrection and with supplication for divine grace, we convey to all of you our Patriarchal love, blessings, and heartfelt wishes. The Feast of the Holy Resurrection is the proclamation of the victory of life over death—a triumph for which the Son of God sacrificed Himself, a victory affirmed as a radiant testament to God’s boundless love for humanity. Our Lord was persecuted, subjected to suffering, crucified, and tasted death. Confronted with the sorrowful reality of the Son of God’s self-sacrifice, as attested by the Evangelists, the disciples and followers of the Lord were overcome by discouragement and despair. Yet, amid the anguish of death’s seemingly triumphant grip, the angelic proclamation from Christ’s empty tomb, “He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:6), became a beacon of enduring hope, strength, and inspiration. Truly, this joyous message is the triumphant hymn of Christ’s salvific mission. By His glorious Resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ broke the chains of death, brought forth the light of salvation into the world, and made those who believe in Him heirs of eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven, according to His life-giving promise: “Whoever believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). The Lord’s redemptive mission was a struggle of Good against evil, Light against darkness, and Life against death—a struggle crowned with the glorious victory of the Resurrection. “O death, where is your victory? O grave, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55), the Apostle boldly proclaims. Through the Resurrection of the Son of God, the path to salvation and eternal life is opened before the world, and earthly reality is expanded beyond its limitations toward the infinite and the celestial. Beloved devout faithful, through Christ’s Holy Resurrection, the course of human history is truly transformed, and the meaning of life is revealed. The grace of the Resurrection grants salvation to those who lead lives of goodness, righteousness, and faith. It bestows divine blessings upon the followers of the Lord, joins them in joy with the heavenly hosts, and makes them partakers of the everlasting bliss of eternal beatitude. In contrast, a path of evil and sin, in opposition to the Lord’s salvific will, leads to condemnation and eternal punishment in ceaseless torment.

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