Last Sunday, a relic of Apostle Bartholomew, the first enlightener and founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was brought to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The historic relic was presented by Archbishop Jan Graubner of Prague, who traveled from the Czech Republic to personally deliver it, as reported by Etchmiadzin’s press service.

According to ancient Armenian tradition, Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew were the first to bring Christianity to Armenia. Thaddeus arrived from Mesopotamia around 43 AD, carrying the spearhead that pierced Christ's side. He preached among the Armenians but was eventually martyred. His burial place later became the site of the Saint Thaddeus Monastery, and his relics are preserved in the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.

Apostle Bartholomew also preached in Armenia, where he built the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and converted Princess Vogui, sister of King Sanatruk, to Christianity. Bartholomew and many of his followers were martyred for their faith; according to legend, he was crucified upside down and then beheaded. His relics are currently housed in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo in Benevento, Italy. Since the 10th century, some of his relics have also been kept on Tiber Island in Rome, in the Church of San Bartolomeo, which is dedicated to the apostle. Additional relics of St. Bartholomew can be found in several Athonite monasteries, the Cathedral of the Holy Myrrhbearers in Baku, and other locations.

The Catholic Church has returned relics of saints to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on three occasions: in 1970, 1994, and 2024.