Director Erik Sargsyan

The first Republic of Armenia was a parliamentary democratic state, which following its establishmend, created state government bodies at the cost of big efforts, tried to get the country out of chaos and anarchy, solve hunger and refugee issues, set up financial and economic structures, educational and cultural centers. The leaders of the First Republic worked hard to bring Armenian businessmen and intellectuals working abroad to Armenia, who wanted to enjoy independent Armenia from outside as then Prime Minister Simon Vratsyan thought. In the two and a half years of the existence of the Republic, what did the government of time create, which, according to Commissar Haskel, was a short-sighted government of teachers?

In the winter of that year, tens of thousands of people died of starvation and disease, and dozens of factories were opened months later, with a number of vital infrastructures, cultural institutions, universities and the State Museum. Even the national currency was established. Inside the country, non-Armenian population constantly incited new provocations against the state. The Armenian army was able to stop these provocations.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia. How was the first republic proclaimed? Researcher journalist Tatul Hakobyan and historian Hamo Sukiasyan talk about it.

 

What is the purpose of evil, how does it act?

Father Arnak Harutyunyan interprets the verses 2:1-3 from the second epistle of Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.

 

Father Arnak Harutyunyan interprets the verses 2:4-11 from the second epistle of Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.

 

According to the National Statistical Service, every third child in Armenia is poor. Non-governmental organizations surveying the sector report that child poverty is growing faster than overall poverty, and poverty in the early years hinders the development of the child's potential. Social and educational centers have been set up in our country for the social support of children and the development of their potential. Knarik Garanfilian, the founder of the Family and Community charitable NGO and Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the Primate of Tavush Diocese talk about these processes.

 

From the very start of the proclamation of the first Republic of Armenia, Armenia had serious problems with its neighbors, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Months after the proclamation of the Republic of Armenia, in December of 1918, a number of political and economic disagreements and border recoils ultimately led to a military conflict between Armenia and Georgia. Armenians in Tiflis and elsewhere were massively arrested and subjected to violence. Diplomatic mission officers were exiled from Tiflis. The two-week war unmasked the deep contradictions of the Armenian-Georgian relations. Historians Hamo Sukiasyan and Hovik Grigoryan talk about the causes of the Georgian-Armenian conflict of the beginning of the 20th century.

 

Arayik Harutyunyan, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee established to investigate cases of illegal fund raising in primary schools, revealing physical and psychological violence against children and elimination of vicious practices in pre-school institutions, presents the results of the studies and points out the steps to be taken for the upcoming years. Psychologist Armine Vanyan analyzes the impact of these practices on psychology of pre-school children.

During his military service, taekwondo trainer Levon Avagyan was rescued from death for three times. “Just like many others, I also thought that there was a supernatural power keeping me alive, but I wasn’t sure if it was God”. The spiritual shock he experienced during his military service and his friend’s advice made him review life once again and direct his steps towards church.  

The Gevorkian Theological Seminary is transitioning to a three-level education system. Is the Seminary ready to provide quality postgraduate education? How shall it ensure the standards of postgraduate education? Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan, Inspector of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary, and Deacon Hrach Sargsyan, Head of the Department of Biblical and Confessional Studies, talk about this in the pavilion of the "Option" TV series. 

 

What does the church mean? What does it mean to live in misfortune, with the joy of the Holy Ghost? Father Arnak Harutyunyan interprets the verse 1:4-10 from the first epistle of Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.