PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 22, 2005
___________________
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO ANCIENT STORIES
What did the Armenian Patriarch Gregory of Shirvan have in common with
the centuries-earlier Biblical prophet Jeremiah? No, not a beard or
long tunic.
How did a sharp businesswoman trading in dyed goods in 1st-century
Macedonia make a huge impact on the success of St. Paul’s mission? No,
she didn’t outfit him and his helpers in togas.
The answer to these two questions and many more can be found in the
pages of “Breathed by God,” a new high school textbook on Scripture, and
its traditional understanding in the Armenian Church.
Published by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern),
the 16-session course — designed for everyone from teens to adults —
is part of the Diocese’s ongoing effort to provide an informative,
creative Armenian Christian curriculum.
The “Breathed by God” set consists of a student book and teacher guide.
It is engagingly laid out in a “Dummies Guide” format with sidebars,
vocabulary, and points of distinctly Armenian interest –written by
ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajia, and Elise Antreassian,
Diocesan coordinator of Christian education — surrounding the main text
written by Valerie Goekjian Zahirsky, a former religious education
director at the Diocese and a graduate of the St. Vladimir’s and St.
Nersess Armenian Seminary joint master of divinity program.
Zahirsky, who has written extensively for the Diocese, has also served
as an ecumenical representative in such places as Australia and
Istanbul; conducted teacher-training events in Moscow, Romania, and
Albania; and been a frequent retreat leader and speaker. This project
was especially meaningful to her.
“Some people don’t realize how foundational the Bible is to our faith,
and it’s gratifying to help others make the wonderful discovery that
everything in the church is Biblical — the prayers, the liturgy, our
basic doctrines,” she said. “I think my favorite moments were when I
had to present some of the great personalities of the Bible — real
people, making real decisions. The two independent-minded midwives of
Moses’ time, for example, who had important but almost anonymous roles
in the Exodus story.”
But the project had its challenging moments as well, Zahirsky said, such
as “explaining some of the basic doctrines of our faith — the Trinity,
the person of Jesus, what it means to follow and become like Him.”
“Breathed by God” is one part of an ongoing revision of the Diocese’s
series of Armenian Christian curriculum texts.
“We are thrilled with the latest publication to accompany our basic
curriculum for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. We’re
continually working on new books and CDs on the Bible, the Divine
Liturgy, the history of the church, and much more,” said Antreassian,
who is overseeing the revision process.
“Breathed by God” will be launched in Diocesan Sunday Schools this fall.
But individuals can purchase copies now through the St. Vartan Bookstore
by going online to or calling (212) 686-0710
ext. 52. The student book is $10 and the teacher’s edition is $5, plus
shipping and handling.
Incidentally: Still wondering about the answers to the opening two
questions? Both the 18th-century Armenian patriarch and the 6th-century
BC prophet wore symbolic weights around their neck as protests (Jeremiah
wore a yoke, and Gregory a chain). And the businesswoman was Lydia, who
was baptized by Paul and proceeded to open her home for gatherings and
meetings of the early church.
— 4/22/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): “Breathed by God: The Bible and You”, written by
Valerie Goekjian Zahirsky, is the newest addition to the Eastern
Diocese’s Armenian Christian education curriculum and has a focus on
Scripture in the tradition and understanding of the Armenian Church.
# # #