CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS CONSECRATES ST. ANNA CHURCH TO BE BUILT IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
July 7, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The construction of St. Anna Church
and the Yerevan residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians will
start soon at the intersection of Abovian and Sayat-Nova Streets
in downtown Yerevan, in the area behind St. Katoghike Church built
in the 12th-13th centuries. The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin
II consecreated St. Anna Church on July 4. Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan attended the consecration ceremony.

Addressing those present, His Holiness said that the design of
architect Hrach Poghosian will be put into practice with the financial
support of Armenian American benefactors Hrayr and Anna Hovnanians
who were also present.

The Supreme Patriarch noted that St. Katoghike Church shared the
fate of over a dozen churches in Yerevan, which were destroyed to
the ground in the Soviet time, and only part of the church – its
section with the altar remained and in the 1980s people went there to
pray. "It is providential that a church bearing the name of the Virgin
Mary’s mother will be built next to St. Katoghike Church of the Virgin
Mary," Karekin I said, underlining that by the architectural design,
St. Anna Church will embrace St. Katoghike just as mother holds her
child in her arms. St. Katoghike Church will also be restored and
repaired under the project.

According to architect Hrach Poghosian, the cost of the building
may amount to 5 million dollars. St. Anna Church will be constructed
in the area behind St. Katoghike and will be 12 meters in width and
about 30 meters in length.

Those entering St. Anna Church will be able to see St. Katoghike
thanks to a stained-glass window. The new church will have seats for
280 people so sacrid music concerts can be given there. There will
be a reception hall and work offices in the two-story residence of
the Catholicos. It is also envisaged constructing a fine square with
a park, fountains and benches in the area.