Sunday School Training

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

With the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, training classes were held for over 130 Sunday School teachers of the Dioceses in Armenia from July 6-10, in the Writers’ Union Lodge in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia. The training course was organized by the Christian Education Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with the support of World Vision International of Armenia.

With the blessings of the Diocesan Primates, clergyman of the Armenian Church took part in the training courses. His Grace Bishop Sahak Mashalian, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, delivered a lecture entitled “New Testament; the nature of Christ as the Messiah”; Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasarian, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See – “The Feasts and Services of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church”, Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananian, Assistant Editor of “Etchmiadzin” Monthly – “Old Testament”; Rev. Fr. Paruyr Avetisian, Director of the Intra Church Relations of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – “The Miracles, Healings and Parables of Jesus Christ:; Rev. Fr. Yesayi Artenian, Pastor of the Church of Holy Trinity in Yerevan – “The Letters and Epistles of the Apostle Paul”. Mrs. Lianna Verdian, Teacher-trainer of the National Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Armenia presented the topic entitled “Modern Methods in Pedagogy”.

In addition to attending the lectures, the teachers held a meeting with Mrs. Anahit Bakhshian, Deputy of the National Assembly and member of the NA permanent committee on science, education, culture, youth and sport. Mrs. Bakhshian thoroughly introduced the recent legislative changes to the educational system and held a question and answer session. A series of issues were discussed by the teachers resulting in several technical suggestions. The teachers also attended a workshop on hymns and spiritual songs.

Rev. Fr. Vardan Navasardian presented a report on the activities of the Sunday schools and the educational program “Our Life with God” and the accompanying textbooks.

Each evening following the lectures, the teachers participated in the Peace service, offered in the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Kecharis. At the end of each Service four teachers presented reports on the importance of faith, the mortality of Christ, repentance and the intersession of Saints.

On the last evening, July 9, the choir of the Monastery of Holy Geghard (artistic director- Mher Navoyan, conductor-Anahit Papayan) gave a performance of spiritual and traditional songs. At the end of the performance, His Grace Bishop Arakel Kharamian, Primate of the Kotayk Diocese, extended his message of blessing, expressing his appreciation to the organizers and participants of the meeting. He encouraged the teachers to be devoted to their vocation and serve for the prosperity of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The evening closed with a joint prayer; and the participants conveyed their greetings to the Armenian Pontiff wishing him a long and vibrant life.

On July 10, under the presidency of Bishop Arakel, Father Vardan celebrated a Divine Liturgy of Oath in the in the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Kecharis. Through Holy Communion the participants renewed their Oath with God.

Christian Education Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

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