“THE FELLOWSHIP TALKS” LAUNCHED AT ST. ILLUMINATOR’S WITH “SECRETS OF YEREVAN” BY KEVORK KHRIMIAN

On Sunday, March 16, following the Divine Liturgy, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral hosted a special presentation at Pashalian Hall entitled “Secrets of Yerevan” by Kevork Khrimian, a regular parishioner, marking the inaugural lecture of “The Fellowship Talks,” a new initiative. 

In his lively presentation, Khrimian explored the often-overlooked hidden treasures of Yerevan, all located within the city’s boundaries—sites that many visit without ever noticing, or in some cases, even knowing about, despite their significance to Armenian history. These are landmarks that have ended up “off the beaten path” yet remain hidden in plain sight, including the Shengavit archaeological preserve, the fortresses of Tsitsernakaberd, Karmir Blur, and Erebuni, the Urartu-era tomb at Yerevan Mall, the Red Bridge, and numerous churches dating from the fifth to the seventeenth centuries, such as Sp. Astvatsatsin Katoghike, the oldest surviving church in Yerevan, which dates back to the 5th century. 

The afternoon was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor, opened the program by expressing his deep appreciation for Khrimian and the example he has set for decades as a devoted parishioner and an active participant in the community life of the church. The Prelate echoed these sentiments in his own remarks of appreciation following the presentation. 

“Secrets of Yerevan” was the first of what the Cathedral calls “The Fellowship Talks,” a new program of informal fellowship hour discussions that St. Illuminator’s will schedule as a permanent, semi-regular feature. The Fellowship Talks will serve as a platform to explore topics that educate, inspire, and broaden perspectives, preserve and renew Armenian Christian and cultural heritage, and showcase the talents and achievements of accomplished members of the Armenian community. 

In his introduction of Khrimian, Armen Morian, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said that The Fellowship Talks will echo the ancient intellectual tradition of Armenian monasteries.  

“Just as our monasteries were known as anabads—without walls—because within their walls there were no limits on the contemplation of God or the exploration of ideas, so too will The Fellowship Talks be anabads, without walls, touching on any topic of interest that possesses the dignity of being presented in this hallowed space,” Morian said. “The Fellowship Talks will not be anything novel at St. Illuminator’s, but rather another manifestation of our long and proud tradition of serving as a place to preserve, renew, and honor our Armenian Christian and cultural heritage.”