PRESS RELEASE
Bible Society of Armenia
6/26 Zakiyan St.
Yerevan 375015, Armenia
Tel: (+374 -1) 58.55.09, 56.49.06
Fax: (+374 – 1) 54.24.39
E-mail: bible@arminco.com

November 24, 2004

BRINGING THE BIBLE TO SCHOOLS, ARAGATSOTN

YEREVAN — Within its two-day trip to Aragatsotn a delegation of Bible
Society Board members and World Vision International Organization
visited the Diocese of Aragatsotn and met with 91 school principals,
teachers and students.

The final part of the project, `Bringing the Bibles to Schools,’
which includes the regions of Tavoush, Shirak and Aragatsotn, was
realized owing to the generous support of World Vision International
Organization.

During November 16-17, 2004, the Bible Society and World Vision
International delegation members visited Talin, Tsaghkahovit and Aparan.
The delegation was always accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Torgom Tonikian,
the Vicar General of the Diocese; Ms. Siramark Ghoukassian, the Head of
the Education, Culture and Sport and her deputy Mr. Parkev
Hambardzoumian. In Talin the delegation was welcomed by Mr. Mnatsakan
Mnatsakanian, the Mayor of the city.

The meetings were usually opened by the Board Secretary who in his
keynote address presented the gathered people with the 200-year history
of United Bible Societies and the 13-year history of the Bible Society
Armenia, its mission in Armenia, and the contents of the six books to be
delivered to schools.

The World Vision International representative Ms. Karine Harutunian
addressed to the gathered students: `Our organization is absolutely
Christian. Our main goal is supporting the Church’s spiritual and
educational mission. Thanks God that The Bible Society of Armenia
exists, because we are able to distribute Bible to our people. By our
participation we express solidarity to our churches, and I believe that
every project must be conducted by the Word of God. Today, I am upset,
because this is the final stage of this project. Unfortunately we did
not take part in this work from the very beginning.’

The sub-region of Tsaghkahovit has mixed population; Armenians, Yezidis
and Kurds. This was one of the unique meetings of the Bible Society
during this project. `Let’s not talk about the differences,’
stated Arshavir Kapoudjian, `But think about the unifying factors: we
are the same Land’s Children, but above all the same God’s sons and
daughters.’

On November 17, 2004, the Governor of the Region Mr Kozalian invited the
delegation for a meeting at the Regional Headquarter and expressed his
joy and thanks for this unique contribution and became acquainted the
activities of both WVI and the BS.

Aparan was the last city in the framework of this project, which has
begun in 2002. Ms. Ghoukassian expressed her gratitude to the Bible
Society and to World Vision International-Armenia for their contribution
and stressed the importance of the Bible, the high quality of its
translation, stating that it was the culmination of the translation art.

The meetings were concluded by the words of Fr. Tonikian, a Board member
of the Bible Society. On behalf of the principals, he expressed his
thanks to the Bible Society and World Vision International-Armenia for
this initiative. `All of us are grateful to you. This project is
absolutely encouraging given our region’s hard climatic conditions and
lack of natural resources. We are not alone. We enjoy the support of
such respected organizations.’

The project `Bringing the Bible to Schools,’ which was launched by
the Bible Society of Armenia two years ago, has now come to the end in
the Republic of Armenia. But every end is a sign for new beginnings, as
bringing the Light and the Word of God is an endless mission. The Bible
Society plans to implement the same project in the Diocese of Artsakh
and in the Javakheti Region.

The Bible Society of Armenia was established in 1991 when the late
Catholicos Vazgen I and representatives of the United Bible Societies
signed a memorandum of understanding, regarding the translation,
publication and dissemination of the Holy Bible in Armenia. The Bible
Society of Armenia is committed to the widest possible meaningful and
effective distribution of the Holy Scriptures in languages and
media which meet the needs of people, at a price they can afford. The
Board of Trustees of The Bible Society of Armenia consists of
representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic
Church and the Union of Armenian Evangelical and Baptist Churches.

For further information on Bible Society of Armenia and its activities,
call (3741) 58-55-09 or 56-49-06; fax (3741) 54-24-39; e-mail
bible@arminco.com

###