Tag Archive for: church fathers

SAINTS HONORED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025

SAINTS HONORED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025: St. John, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Odzoon), Hovhan Vorodnetsi (St. John of Orodni), Krikor Datevatsi (St. Gregory of Datev).

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ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM

On the second Saturday in Great Lent (Poon Paregentan) the Armenian Church commemorates St. Cyril (315-386) of Jerusalem, a doctor of the church. St. Cyril had a pleasant and conciliatory disposition, but he lived at a time when bishops were embroiled in bitter controversies and were quick to condemn any attempts at compromises, even calling such attempts as treason…

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ST. SAHAG BARTEV

This Saturday, February 22, the Armenian Church commemorates Catholicos Sahag (Isaac) Bartev, a strong and great leader who is recognized as one of the greatest saints of the Armenian Church. His accomplishments, even under very difficult political situations, secured the survival of the Armenian nation. He was the son of St. Nerses the Great and a descendant of St…

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HOLY VOSKIAN PRIESTS

The Armenian Church remembers the Holy Voskian priests—five men who were sent to Rome as ambassadors by the Armenian king, Sanadrook. On the road to Rome they met the Apostle Thaddeus who converted and baptized them…

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SONS AND GRANDSONS OF ST. GREGORY

On Saturday, February 8, the Armenian Church commemorates the sons and grandsons of St. Gregory the Illuminator, namely, Sts. Aristakes, Vrtanes, Housik, Grigoris, and Daniel (who was not related, but was a distinguished and favorite student of St. Gregory). All of them continued the work of St. Gregory, preaching the word of Christ to pagans at great personal peril. Gregory had two sons, Aristakes and Vrtanes. Aristakes, the younger son, succeeded…

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SAINT GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN

This Saturday, February 1, the Armenian Church commemorates Saint Gregory the Theologian, also known as St. Gregory of Nazianzus, who is considered to be one of the great fathers of the Eastern Church. He was the son of the bishop of Nazianzus in Cappadocia. A great orator, his famous Five Theological Orations were powerful statements of faith and an eloquent defense of orthodoxy that earned him the title “the Theologian.” He also wrote poetry, letters, and with St. Basil compiled a selection of writings by Origen.

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HOLY FATHERS STS. ATHANASIUS AND CYRIL

In January, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy Fathers Athanasius and Cyril. Athanasius is known as the “champion of orthodoxy” and “Father of Orthodoxy.” He served as bishop of Alexandria for 45 years . He attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He is respected and revered in the Armenian Church. Cyril of Alexandria succeeded his uncle, Theophilus…

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ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBIS | Ս․ ՅԱԿՈԲ ՄԾԲՆԱՅ ՀԱՅՐԱՊԵՏ

St. James (Hagop) of Nisibis (Mdzbin) participated in the first ecumenical council in Nicaea (325), where he earned great respect from the Emperor Constantine and the other attendees. He Was born and died in the city of Nisibis (Nusbyien) located in what is now southeastern Turkey, an important early Christian center in Asia Minor and a…

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FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS

The October commemoration of the Feast of the Holy Translators focuses on the creation of the Armenian alphabet (406) and on the accomplishments of the Holy Translators. Mesrob Mashdots, the founder of the alphabet, and Catholicos Sahag, together with some of their students…

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THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF NICAEA

The Nicean Council called to convene by Emperor Constantine the Great upon the recommendation of church leaders. Constantine invited 1,800 bishops of the Christian Church within the vast Roman Empire. The number attending varies, but the number 318 has come to be the agreed official number of delegates.

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