Hakob Anandyan


Hakob Manandyan was one of the great scientists who, by teaching at the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary, had turned that institution into the world's largest center of Armenology. Manandyan spoke more than ten languages, and taught history as well as various languages ​​at the seminary. He wrote more than 150 scientific works in Armenian, Russian, and German. After the seminary was closed, when the first state university was opened, Manandyan became the head of the history department, and then was elected rector of the university. He was one of the founding academicians of the National Academy of Sciences. When the scientist was reminded of his great merit, he replied that all this should be considered a tribute of gratitude to the seminary, where he spent his best years.

My world


In 2010, 15 deacons received priestly ordination and anointing from the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan. Today, they serve in various dioceses in Armenia and the Diaspora. On the 15th anniversary of their ordination, the brothers from the diocese gathered and visited their spiritual father, the illegally imprisoned Archbishop Mkrtich.

Avetik Isahakyan's loves and romance


When talking about Avetik Isahakyan's love poetry, the image of the poet's youthful love, Shushanik, is traditionally emphasized, but there were other sources of inspiration in Isahakyan's life as well. Isahakyan's large-scale letters, especially published in recent years, provide an opportunity to see more clearly the path from emotion to poetry and the real addressees of those poems. In the framework of the "Parallel Readings" program, literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan discuss these issues.

Specifics of spiritual and psychological support for children were discussed


The Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Armenian Spiritual Restoration Foundation held a joint discussion on the topic “AGBU “Nairi” Camp: Peculiarities of Spiritual and Psychological Support for Children”. Psychologists, educators, team leaders and parents participated in the discussion. In 2021-2025, 1963 children aged 7-13 participated in the summer camps. Children from Artsakh also found refuge here in August 2023, during the blockade of Artsakh. In addition to the summer camp, since February 2024, the “Nairi” family camp has been hosting children forcibly displaced from Artsakh and their mothers free of charge, providing psychological support, stress management training, food, games, and entertainment.

Hrachya Kochar


Hrachya Kochar was one of the most influential figures in Soviet Armenia in the 1950s and 1960s. The people called his summer residence in Lusakert the building of the Presidium of the Supreme Council. Here, the leaders of the republic discussed important issues for the country with the writer. Prose writer Hovhannes Yeranyan tells about the life path and legacy of the writer and controversial person Hrachya Kochar.

The Attempt to Destroy the Church and the Lesson of History


The seizure of church property, the arrests and repression of clergy, the demand for the Catholicos of All Armenians to abdicate, the creation of a church opposition under the guise of reform, the provision of one of the churches to “reformist” clergy. These are historical events that took place several decades ago, during the years of Soviet power. Anna Sargsyan spoke with Avag Harutyunyan, candidate of historical sciences, author of the work “Church-State Relations in Soviet Armenia in the 1920s-1930s.”

Catholicos of All Armenians receives 6 clergymen who received priestly ordination


His Holiness congratulated and wished the newly ordained priests good service. His Holiness noted that the guarantee of effective and successful service is the clergyman's love for the children of the church, pastoral care and complete dedication to the community entrusted to them. The Patriarch advised not to be discouraged by difficulties or problems, to overcome them with prudence and patience, to be firm in the vocation, to act with truth and a high awareness of self-sacrifice, holding a cross in one hand and the gospel in the other.

Voice and speech in spiritual songs, part 2


Spiritual songs are of a general nature, as they are based on the original texts of the Holy Scriptures and are associated with certain holidays and rituals. In this case, where is their originality, authorial or national uniqueness? How does Armenian express the unity of sound, speech and ritual, what do spiritual songs inspire in the believer or listener, and what means do they use? These questions are discussed in the “Parallel Readings” program by literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan, Arkmenik Nikoghosyan, and musicologist Arusyak Tamrazyan.

A book has been published summarizing 17 years of excavations in Tigranakert


The presentation of the book “Tigranakert of Artsakh: The Historical and Cultural Image in the Light of Archaeological Research” took place at the NAS. After the 44-day war, when Tigranakert came under the control of Azerbaijan, and it became impossible to continue the excavations, it was decided to summarize the results of 17 years of research work. The Russian translation of the book is currently in the editing stage. The book will also be translated into English.

 

The 31st Vahan Tekeyan International Awards Ceremony was held


This year, more than two dozen authors and creators submitted applications for the competition. In the Armenology category, the award was given to Austrian Birgit Kofler-Betschart for her remarkable work “I Killed a Man, but I Am Not a Murderer.” The jury was attracted by the work of a foreign author about “Nemesis” and the trial of Soghomon Tehlirian. The book tells about the special operations planned and carried out in advance against several persons responsible for the Armenian Genocide and the Baku massacres in 1919-22.

Hovhannes Chilingiryan Library Opens at Gevorgyan Theological Seminary


The Hovhannes Chilingiryan Library will operate in the Komitas Hall of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary. The initiative was brought to life with the support of the daughters of the great Armenian, Shamir Avagyan Chilingiryan and Ani Srmakesh Chilingiryan. His Holiness awarded the spouses the highest order of honor of the Armenian Church, “Saint Gregory the Illuminator.”

An episode from the experience of European public broadcasters


The organization of public broadcasting, political propaganda and pluralism in the media is a challenge for post-Soviet countries. How to be free from government pressure and the opinions of other political forces? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Wolfgang Ressmann, organizer of the European program "Media Dialogue" and long-time director of the German public television.