PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
October 18, 2006

Feast of the Holy Translators and
Presentation of the Album of Armenian Paleography in Holy Etchmiadzin

The Feast of the Holy Translators, one of the most beloved and celebrated
days among the Armenians, was noted with special significance in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin this year.  On Saturday, October 14, the Armenian
translation of the "Album of Armenian Paleography" was officially unveiled
and presented to the public in the headquarters of the Armenian Church.  The
event took place in the Pontifical Residence of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians.

The original English language version of the album was published by the
Aarhus University Press in Denmark in 2002.  The editors of this definitive
work are Professors Michael E. Stone, Dickran Kouymjian and Henning
Lehmann.  The album comprehensively studies and interprets ancient forms of
Armenian writing.

On the occasion of the 1600th Anniversary of the Creation of the Armenian
Alphabet, His Holiness Karekin II authorized the "Karekin I Armenological &
Theological Center" of Holy Etchmiadzin to pursue the Armenian translation
of this seminal work with the goal of having it published by the Mother
See.  The primary benefactor for the publication of the Armenian translation
of the album is the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund (USA).

The translation and editing work of the Armenian version was accomplished
through the endeavors of Aram Topchian and Gohar Muradian, researchers at
the "Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran" Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in
Yerevan; and Azat Bozoyan, Director of the "Karekin I Armenological &
Theological Center".  The album was published by the Tigran Mets Publishing
House.

As the ceremony began, Azat Bozoyan welcomed the attendees and expressed his
gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the creation of this
important contribution to Armenian culture and science.  He noted the
significance of continuing the mission of the Mother See in publishing
similar works, which were initiated by Karekin Hovsepiants of blessed memory
(later Catholicos of Cilicia) in 1913 in Holy Etchmiadzin.

On behalf of the authors, Professor Dickran Kouymjian, Chair of the
Department of Armenian Studies at California State University in Fresno,
spoke on the history of the nearly three-year process of creating the
Armenian translation of the album.  He conveyed the appreciation and
gratitude of the authors to the Pontiff of All Armenians for his support and
sponsorship in publishing the work.

The event concluded with His Holiness Karekin II addressing those present
with his message of blessing.  The Armenian Pontiff expressed his
appreciation to the authors, translators and editors for their devoted and
conscientious work.  He also specifically thanked M. Haigentz of the Dolores
Zohrab Liebmann Fund for their generous financial gift, as well as Vrezh
Markosian, Director of the Tigran Mets Publishing House, for the diligent
efforts of his entire staff.  His Holiness highly evaluated the role of both
the English and Armenian versions of the album in the sphere of Armenian
Studies, noting, "This work will have the most important significance for
researchers and scientists engaged in the history of the Armenian characters
(letters), Armenian art and culture.  We are confident that the joint
volumes, which complement one another, will greatly serve the study of our
manuscripts and ancient writings by Armenians and non-Armenians alike."

In attendance for the ceremony were members of the Brotherhood of Holy
Etchmiadzin, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, professors and
lecturers of the Gevorkian and Vaskenian Theological Seminaries, and
scientists, intellectuals, and artists from throughout Armenia.  Throughout
the evening, musical presentations of Bach, Komitas, and Babadjanian were
performed by the string quartet of the Armenian Chamber Orchestra.

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