PRESS RELEASE
Bible Society of Armenia
6/26 Zakiyan St.
Yerevan 375015, Armenia
Tel: (+374 -10) 58.55.09, 56.49.06
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.24.39
E-mail: [email protected]
August 31, 2005
BRINGING THE BIBLE TO SCHOOLS, DIOCESE OF ARTSAKH
YEREVAN — Within its two-day trip August 29-30 to the Diocese of
Artsakh a delegation of the Bible Society Board members met with
234 school principals, teachers and students. This Diocese includes
seven regions. The project called “Bringing the Bibles to Schools”
was a part of the long run program, implemented in Armenia during
the years 2002-2004. This project has been implemented owing to the
generous support of the Diocese of Artsakh, the Armenian Evangelical
Church and the Armenian Catholic Church. Among the delegation were
Arshavir Kapoudjian, the BS Board Secretary; Fr. Hakop Hakopian,
Parish priest from the Diocese; Fr Grigor Mkrtcian, the representative
of the Armenian Catholic Church; Arsen Manasserian and Aram Mkrtchian,
representatives of the Armenian Evangelical Churches.
On Monday, August 29, 2005, the Bible Society delegation members
first met His Eminnence Archbishop Pargev Martirossian, the Primate
of the Diocese. The Archbishop warmly greeted the delegation and
expressed his joy and gratitude for such kind of initiative and the
generous support of the Bible Society of Armenia. In Stepanakert the
delegation was welcomed by Mr Kamo Atayan, the Minister of Education,
Culture and Sports. Mr Atayan expressed his thanks to the BS Armenia
for this unique support extended and for the gifts to be delivered
to the local schools.
The meeting was organized at the Cultural House in Stepanakert. At
the gathering also were present Mr Ashot Ghulian, the Speaker of the
National Assembly; General Seyran Ohanian, the Defence Minister;
the Minister of Education of Nagorno Karabagh; the Rector of the
University; Heads of Education Departments of all regions and
distinguished guests. The gathering was opened by the greetings of
Mr Ghulian and Mr Atayan. Afterwards the Minister invited Arshavir
Kapoudjian. In his keynote address the Board Secretary presented
the gathered people with the 200-year history of the United Bible
Societies, the 13-year history of the Bible Society of Armenia and
its mission in Armenia, and the sets of six books to be given to
schools (a Bible, 6 different volumes of Guides, Opening Up the Bible,
The Bible in the Armenian Tradition). Based on their witnesses, the
principals revealed that this is something very new which happens in
their life. Receiving their packages, a lot of principals invited
the BS members to their own villages and schools for such kind of
spiritual and uplifting meetings.
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 (374-10) 58-55 09 or 56-49-06; fax (374-10) 54-24-39; e-mail
[email protected]
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