New Strategy for Education and Science: Part 186


Together with education expert Serob Khachatryan, Hovhannes Yeranyan summarized the main problems in the general education sector in 2024 and the threats expected in 2025.

Humanism


Humanism is the breath of the planet Earth, one of the most important virtues of knowing God. Deacon Karo Gharibyan and Armen Martirosyan share their reflections and life experiences.

Akhtala


The estate-farm and monastery of the princes of the Gugark world have been known to historians since the 5th century. In later centuries, when copper mines were discovered here, Agarak was renamed Pghndzahank, and the monastery was renamed Pghndzahank Monastery. The settlement and church named Akhtala have been mentioned in historical sources since the 14th century.
 

The gala concert marking the 30th anniversary of the Youth Center was held at the Sundukyan National Academic Theater


The students of the Armenian Youth Houses of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian General Benevolent Union presented all branches of performing arts at the National Academic Theater: song, dance, classical and national instruments, theater and circus. About 500 young people of different ages from eight Armenian Youth Houses operating in the communities of Armenia performed a common concert program. It was planned to be organized a year ago, in September. The anniversary concert was postponed due to the forced displacement in Artsakh.

A memorial evening "Dedication to Lusine" was held at the Lusine Zakaryan House-Museum


The evening dedicated to the memory of the great singer was attended by musicians and artists inspired by her art, who joined the event on their own initiative. Spiritual songs and romances were performed by Marina Zalinyan, soloist of the choir of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, laureate of international competitions, and pianist, concertmaster Katarine Hovsepyan.

Museum soldier-Shahen Khachatryan


This year marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of Shahen Khachatryan, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia, who directed the Martiros Saryan House-Museum for about 38 years and the National Gallery of Armenia for 11 years. The film tells the details of the art critic’s life and activities, how he was beaten at school for reciting Charents, then became a swimming champion and only years later returned to culture. The film contains exclusive episodes about the closeness between Shahen Khachatryan and Martiros Saryan, the Master’s appointment of him as the director of the museum and the granting of a unique honorary title.

New Strategy for Education and Science: Part 185


Hovhannes Yeranyan discussed the advantages of this system with Hasmik Movsisyan, a researcher in social-emotional education, and the need and usefulness of its implementation in Armenia.

The degrees of acolytes, oratory, and semi-deaconry were given at the Mother Cathedral.


In front of the Holy Table of the Descent, Bishop Makar Hakobyan, Primate of the Diocese of Syunik, conferred the degrees of scholastic, oratorical, and semi-deacon upon the students of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary and the Priest Training Course. A Liturgy was celebrated under the presiding authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians. 11 students of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary and one graduate of the Priest Training Course were ordained deacons by His Bishop Makar.

New Strategy for Education and Science: Part 184


Hovhannes Yeranyan discussed the relationship between artificial intelligence and education with mathematician Tigran Ishkhanyan. To what extent is artificial intelligence, as a technological tool, useful for education, and what dangers and threats can it pose?

The Holy Mother of God monastery in Akhtala


"Me, Mariam, daughter of Kyurike, have erected a bronze altar to the Holy Mother of God. You who worship, remember my prayer to us.” The khachkar with this inscription, created by order of Princess Mariam, is in the courtyard of Akhtala; it is the de facto passport of the monastery. The khachkar, made in 1188, is tangible evidence of attempts by foreigners, especially Georgians, to appropriate the monastery at different times and of the settlement of disputes. The Akhtala monastery is the largest monastery in the region named after the Mother of God. It is also one of the richest monasteries in frescoes: 960 square meters of unique medieval frescoes have come down to us, which have never been restored in 800 years.

The Holy Savior church of Gyumri


The Church of the Holy Savior, considered one of the symbols of Gyumri, celebrates the 150th anniversary of its construction this year. It is said that the people of Gyumri dreamed of having a church similar to the Mother Cathedral of Ai and began collecting donations for its construction in the 1850s. The church, built in 1873 with great difficulties and expectations, ceased to function in the 1930s under the coercion of the Soviet authorities, and in 1937 the Bolsheviks blew up the bell tower. The final blow to the Church of the Holy Savior was the devastating earthquake of 1988, when the church collapsed. After many years of restoration, the restoration of the Church of the Holy Savior was completed in 2024 and was reconsecrated under the auspices of the Armenian Patriarch.

Levon Shant


Levon Shant was the only Western Armenian writer of the famous Vernatan founded by Tumanyan. He created works in a variety of literary genres, but his literary fame was brought to him by his dramatic works: "The Ancient Gods", "The Emperor", "Oshin Payl", "The Princess of the Fallen Fortress". Like his party friends Nikol Aghbalyan and Avetis Aharonyan, Shant tried to combine literary life and political activity throughout his life. A graduate of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary, in 1919 he assumed the duties of the Speaker of the Parliament of the First Republic of Armenia. After the Sovietization of Armenia, he left his homeland forever. In 1929, Levon Shant proclaimed the foundation of the National Educational and Cultural Union in Beirut and the creation of the Nshan Palanchkan Seminary. Both are still operating today.