Armenian Orthodox Catholicos Visits France

Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II (Nersessian) of Echmiadzin has undertaken a pastoral visit to the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Marseille in southern France. While in France Catholicos Karekin celebrated the 80th anniversary of Holy Translators' Church in Marseille and met with the hierarchs, clergy, and representatives of the Armenian Orthodox Church in France as well as with Bishop Anba Athanasius of the Coptic Orthodox Church in France. More here.

Catholicos Karekin Visits St. Petersburg

Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II (Nersessian) of Echmiadzin has begun his visit to St. Petersburg, being welcomed to the city by Bishop Yezras (Nersissian) of Novo-Nakhichevan, who serves the Armenian Orthodox Church in Russia. Catholicos Karekin began his time in St. Petersburg with a visit to the city's Armenian Orthodox Church of St. Catherine before moving on to participate in the launch of a book on Russian-Armenian relations. More on Catholicos Karekin's ongoing visit to St. Petersburg can be found here.

Catholicos Karekin Leaves for St. Petersburg, Riga

Catholicos-Patriarch Karekin II (Nersessian) of Echmiadzin has departed for Russia and Latvia to begin a pastoral visit to the Armenian Diaspora in St. Petersburg and Riga. In St. Petersburg Catholicos Karekin will be participating in the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Armenian community there, whilst in Riga he will consecrate a new Armenian Orthodox church built for the Latvian capital. More here.

Armenians in Turkey Not in Diaspora

Prominent Armenians living in Turkey have rejected the characterization of their community in the country as constituting a part of the Armenian Diaspora given that much of eastern Turkey was an integral part of Armenia proper prior to the Armenian Genocide. More here.

Constantinople's Armenians on the Decline?

Constantinople's large Armenian minority is facing criticism from the rest of the Armenian Diaspora for its quietness in the face of Turkish discrimination as well as a decline in numbers as its youth begin to lose the Armenian language and intermarry with Turks. More here.

Armenians to Build New Church in Kiev

Ukrainian President Viktor F. Yanukovych has committed to helping the Armenian Orthodox Diocese of Kiev build a new church in the Ukrainian capital. Although 40,000 Armenians live in Kiev there is at present only one chapel in use by the Armenian Orthodox Church in the country and it accommodates under 20 people. Efforts were made to build a larger church during the presidency of Viktor A. Yushchenko, but the authorities refused to authorize the construction plans. More here.

Armenian Genocide Commemorated in Antelias

Thousands gathered in Antelias, Lebanon, on Pascha to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection and commemorate the one and a half million victims of the Armenian Genocide, of whom many of the members of the Armenian Diaspora in the Levant are descendants. The memorial service for the martyrs was served by Catholicos Aram I (Keshishian) of Cilicia. More here.

Iraqi Armenians Commemorate Genocide

Commemorations have been held by the Armenian Orthodox in northern Iraq to mark the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. More here.

MA Governor Named 2011 "Friend of the Armenians"

The Eastern American Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church of Echmiadzin has announced that Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will be honored at its upcoming diocesan assembly as 2011's "Friend of the Armenians." Governor Patrick is being honored for the warm relations he has maintained with the Armenian community in Massachusetts and for his advocacy of recognition of the Armenian Genocide. More here.