Karekin II consecrates first Armenian church in Minsk![]() May 19, 2025 - 11:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 18, the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II consecrated the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Minsk. This marks the first Armenian church established in Belarus. Videos and photos published from the event show the presence of Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, according to Factor.am . On May 17, the Catholicos also visited a monument in the Belarusian capital commemorating victory in the Great Patriotic War and laid flowers. Official Yerevan has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Minsk following insulting remarks by President Lukashenko about the Armenian people. In response, Armenia recalled its ambassador. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that no Armenian official would visit Belarus. Despite this, on May 9 in Moscow, Pashinyan was seen seated next to and interacting with Lukashenko during Victory Day events. ![]() ![]() As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. ![]() ![]() Partner news | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |