St Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Church

06/05/2026

05/20/2026

A New Chapter Begins This September at St. Vartan Cathedral!

The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America is pleased to announce that St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will begin the next phase of its transformation in September 2026, with a projected full reopening in Spring 2028.

As this exciting restoration begins, we look ahead with hope and gratitude for the future of our beloved Cathedral and the generations who will continue to gather there in faith and fellowship.

Beginning September 13, 2026, Sunday Divine Liturgy services will be temporarily relocated to the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, located at 325 East 33rd Street in New York City.

Read more for full details as we journey together through this historic transformation: https://armenianchurch.us/st-vartan-cathedral-to-begin-major-interior-transformation-in-september-2026/

05/13/2026

Another Diocesan sponsored spiritual resource for our young adults….

Educational Summer Courses for Armenian Youth at Holy Etchmiadzin

We are pleased to share this wonderful opportunity for our youth (ages 18-25) to deepen their faith, identity, and connection to their heritage through the ArmEssence Educational Summer Program at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Participants will be immersed in Armenian language, history, and Christian faith, while also experiencing the spiritual richness of our homeland through visits to holy shrines, cultural centers, and meaningful encounters in Yerevan.

Two sessions are available in Summer 2026. We encourage interested youths to learn more and consider participating in this unique and formative experience. For more information, please contact the email listed on the flyer or reach out to the parish office. Click here or see attached the flyer for more information.

The cost of the program as well as room and board are generously provided by the Mother See.

The Diocese is offering $250 scholarship toward transportation to the first 20 to sign up.

Youth interested in participating should inform Mrs. Anna Ghazaryan ([email protected]) as soon as possible and we will inform the Mother See accordingly. Please indicate July or August session.

04/23/2026

A reminder to all to please join us tomorrow at Binghamton City Hall at 4:00 pm
as we again raise the Armenian flag on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Martyrs of
the Armenian Genocide. You can bring your tri-colored flag too...

Our flag...

Red symbolizes Armenian highlands...the constant fight for survival, Christian religion and independence.

Blue...the desire of our people to live beneath a peaceful sky... and

Orange...symbolizing the creative nature and diligence of the Armenian people.

Your presence is of great importance to continue to raise awareness of this important day for all Christians.

04/09/2026

01/04/2026

Welcome to the official website of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

01/02/2026

12/25/2025

Thursday, December 25th, 2025
Feast day of Saint Stephen the Proto-Deacon and the First Martyr

Stephen was the first deacon and one of the seven men chosen by the Church of Jerusalem to serve the people. This young man was filled with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit and bore witness to Jesus not only through words, but also through wondrous deeds and signs. His preaching and fearless conduct, his wisdom and steadfastness, stirred up the Jews, and they condemned Stephen to death as a blasphemer and heretic.
When he testified that Jesus was the Messiah foretold by the prophets, all those present saw that Stephen’s face, speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit, shone like the face of an angel. And as he was speaking, he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus, and said: “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).
Hearing this, the Jews covered their ears and, in a frenzy, rushed upon him; dragging him outside the city, they stoned him to death.
Stephen became the first martyr of the Church. The place of his martyrdom was the eastern gate of Jerusalem, which later came to be called the Gate of Stephen.