Archbishop Ajapahyan Celebrates Divine Liturgy at Holy Etchmiadzin on Khachverats Following Overturning of Conviction

The Armenian Apostolic Church is celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, known as Khachverats, today.

Khachverats is the last of the Armenian Church’s five major feasts and commemorates the return of the Holy Cross from captivity and its exaltation and glorification.

Churches across Armenia are holding Divine Liturgies and the solemn ceremony of the elevation of the Cross, with traditional Khachverats processions and ceremonies also taking place throughout the day.

At the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Divine Liturgy is being celebrated by Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak, marking a notable return to the altar following more than a year of criminal proceedings against him.

Ajapahyan was arrested in June 2025 and later convicted and sentenced to two years in prison on charges of publicly calling for the seizure of power. His detention was replaced with house arrest in February 2026. Although he was permitted to attend Sunday services during that period, he was barred from celebrating the Divine Liturgy.

In June 2026, Armenia’s Criminal Court of Appeal overturned the first instance ruling, lifted Ajapahyan’s house arrest and sent the case back for a new trial. A travel restriction remains in place. Ajapahyan has rejected the charges against him.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II also blessed the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral for the feast.

The day following Khachverats is observed as Merelots, a day dedicated to the remembrance of the departed in the Armenian Apostolic Church.