Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – October 2016

On September 29, the 2016 Teacher of the Year awards ceremony was held in the Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; presided over the event, which was attended by Minister Levon Mkrtchyan, of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia. The annual competition will be held on the following subjects: History of Armenia; History of the Armenian Church; Armenian Language and Literature, and Natural Sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology).

The ceremony opened with the Lord’s Prayer and the National Hymn of the Republic of Armenia, following by welcoming remarks from His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardian, Director of the Christian Education Department of the Mother See.

“The appreciation of teachers and their mission and service has always been and will always be in the spotlight of the Primate of the Armenian Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians.

This contest is one of numerous programs and events aimed at inspiring teachers in the national schools; to show appreciation for their work, appraise them as the best in the year, and promote that their acknowledgement and skills also extends on to other educators. The teacher must not only convey education to the pupils, but he should be the important link who needs to lay down a clear separation between the temporal and the eternal”, stated Bishop Vardan.

Minister Mkrtchyan also made remarks during the ceremony. He stated that it was very inspiring that the event was being held during the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. “When we try to assess independence and understand the benefits, which brought this new experience in our life with it, two important facts will be stressed.

The first one is the procession of the clergy during our independence parade, when they were able to walk proudly with our regiments, and through this the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church stated that it is a complete presence not only in our spiritual life but also in the secular and defense structures.

The second one is a more powerful and important fact: it is the permanent and extensive presence of the Armenian Church in our educational programs. If we talk about the national educational-system, it should be noted that an Armenian does not exist without the Armenian Church”, noted the Minister, stressing that the teachers of Armenian studies subjects undertake a great mission in the schools.

Mrs. Karine Achemyan, National Assembly deputy and member of the Assembly Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Standing Committee on Sports; welcomed the participants to the Awards Ceremony, reflecting to the widespread mission of the Armenian Church in the education field, as well as the teacher’s role in terms of shaping a student’s demeanor; and the important achievements recorded in the field of Christian education.

His Holiness and the Minister presented the teachers with certificates, a cash prize and religious publications.

First place was awarded to Ms. Anush Khachikyan, teacher of Chemistry at A. Erznkyan High School #118 in Yerevan.

Second place prizes were awarded to Ms. Haykanush Grigoryan, teacher of Armenian History at the Secondary School in Voskevaz, Aragatsotn region; Ms. Ruzanna Khachatryan, teacher of Armenian History at the High School in Sisian, Syunik region; Ms. Anahit Tevosyan, teacher of History of the Armenian Church at the Primary School #2 in Vedi, Ararat region; Ms. Liana Matinyan, teacher of History of the Armenian Church at the Sayat-Nova High School #10 in Vanadzor, Lori region; Ms. Tiruhi Asatryan, teacher of Armenian Language and Literature at Secondary School #2 in the Karmir village, Gegharkunik region; Ms. Arpine Sargsyan, teacher of Armenian Language and Literature at the Secondary School in Vahramaberd, Shirak region; Ms. Maria Grigoryan, teacher of Chemistry at the Sayat-Nova High School #10 in Vanadzor, Lori region; Ms. Ninel Mkrtchyan, teacher of Physics at the municipal college in Vayk, Vayaots Dzor region; and Ms. Ruzanna Vardanyan, Head of Class at the Primary School #116 in Yerevan.

Third place was awarded to Mr. Vardan Ashchyan, teacher of Armenian History at the G. Emin High School #182 in Yerevan; Ms. Anna Baghdasaryan, teacher of Armenian History at the Secondary School in Lernanist, Kotayk region; Ms. Alvina Mkrtumyan, teacher of History of the Armenian Church at the Secondary School in Tairov, Armavir region; Mr. Gagik Vardanyan, teacher of History of the Armenian Church at the Secondary School #1 in Nerkin Getashen, Gegharkunik region; Ms. Narine Vardanyan, teacher of History of the Armenian Church at the Primary School #28 in Vanadzor, Lori region; Ms. Naira Zeynalian, teacher of Armenian Language and Literature at the Secondary School in Surenavan, Ararat region; Ms. Ani Vantsian, teacher of Armenian Language and Literature at the High School in Stepanavan, Lori region; Ms. Christine Avetisyan, teacher of Armenian Language and Literature at the Secondary School in Lernanist, Kotayk region; Ms. Anush Manukyan, teacher of Physics at the Primary School #3 in Gegharkunik province; Ms. Varduhi Tsatryan, teacher of Physics at the Secondary School in Tairov, Armavir region; Ms. Svetlana Sargsyan, teacher of Biology at the High School in Sisian, Syunik region; Ms. Sonik Badalyan, Head of Class at the Eurnekian secondary school in Armavir region; Ms. Meri Torunyan, Head of Class at the Vardanank Educational Complex in Yerevan.

Following the Award Ceremony, Ms. Silva Ter-Stepanyan, (USA) philanthropist of the Teacher of the Year award ceremony; made her remarks, and stated in part: “The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was and still is the greatest gift of our Lord to the Armenians. It will continue not only to be the guide of our Armenian faith, but also our sacred foundation”. Ms. Ter-Stepanyan also expressed her wish that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – the sacred center of hope, light and faith of the Armenians, will always be vibrant.

Ms. Anush Khachikyan also made an acceptance speech, following which the “New Names” ensemble, led by Ms. Silva Mekinyan performed artistic numbers.

The final speaker of the ceremony, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; conveyed his blessings and offered his words. His Holiness welcomed the attendees and conveyed his appreciation to the teachers who received the honor of best teacher, expressing gratitude for their good and noble service rendered.

His Holiness compared the teachers with the image of the Evangelical type of sower, who are plowing and sowing kind seeds to the souls and minds of the Armenians, then care and nurse those seeds to bring caring results to the Armenian nation and Homeland.

“Glory to God that this work is carried out with love and devotion. Recently, we saw the evidence of it, when we visited Nagorno-Karabakh, we met the brave warriors of the Armenian Army. We felt pride for their spirit and consciousness, through which they are bringing their service to our Homeland and people. For this, we also express our appreciation and blessings to you. The teacher is in our constant prayers, so that through their work the graces abound in the life of our children”, stated the Armenian Pontiff.

On this occasion, His Holiness expressed appreciation to Mr. Levon Mkrtchyan, for his zeal and important contributions in the cause of national education. His Holiness also congratulated him on his reappointment as Minister. The Catholicos of All Armenians praised the cooperation between the ecclesiastical educational institutions and the Ministry of Education and Science, which is crowned with beautiful initiatives.

His Holiness conveyed his blessings also to the sponsors of the Award Ceremony, sisters Irma and Silva Ter-Stepanyan, and as well as to His Grace Bishop Vardan.

At the conclusion, offering the Protector prayer, His Holiness blessed the attendees and asked for God’s protection and support in the effective implementation of their patriotic mission.

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