CHURCHES AND MUSEUMS OPEN DOORS DAY IN RIGA

On May 17, 2025, the pan-European Museum and Church Open Doors Day was also celebrated at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Riga.
The event was organized by deaconess Liana Kirakosyan and Victoria Stepanyan, who prepared illustrated booklets in Armenian, Latvian, English, and Russian to provide visitors with more information about the history of the Armenian Church.

With the blessing of Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, head of the Baltic dioceses, spiritual pastor Father Khosrov Stepanyan, the church's youth union, and the women's council led by deaconess Liana prepared a special program. The relic of Saint Barbara was displayed in the church for the veneration of the faithful.

❗️At 08:00, an exhibition of paintings by Latvian-Armenian artist Karine Paronyants was opened, along with a presentation of traditional Armenian folk costumes and carpets provided by Hasmik Bagoyan.

❗️At 19:00, the church choir, soloist and opera singer Lilit Yedigaryan, Victoria Stepanyan, organist Elena Yesayan, and Lili Sargsyan performed excerpts from the Holy Mass. The ceremony was attended by Armenian and other faithful, as well as the initiator and coordinator of the Open Doors program, Sintija Jozenā. Media representatives were also present, including operators from the Latvian Christian television channel "Kristīgā tauta."

❗️At 21:00, the church bells rang, and under the leadership of Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, an evening prayer service was held.

We express our gratitude to Hayk Zakoyan for his support in organizing the event and to Karine Manucharyan for the professional photographs.