Agreement on Education of Armenian Church History Signed in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On Thursday, August 22, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Mr. Andranik Markarian, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, signed a historic agreement between the Armenian Church and the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The formal signing ceremony was held in the Official Residence of the Catholicos. Bishops of the Armenian Church, Minister of Education and Science Mr. Levon Mkrtchian, and members of the Prime Minister?s staff were present for the ceremony.
The accord formalizes an agreement that has been under development for a few years. The document states that Armenian Church History will be taught in all public schools of the Republic, at first in the sixth and eighth grade levels, and eventually from fourth through tenth grades inclusive.
After signing the document, His Holiness stated, ?We believe that as a result of this historically significant day, we will educate Armenian youth who are not only knowledgeable and intellectual, but also we will rear homeland-loving, devoted, good Christians, who are kind and honest citizens of our country. With greater clarity, in their view they will see the future of our nation, her mission for the new ages and new millennia?. In his turn, Prime Minister Markarian stated, ?The role of the Armenian Church in our culture, spirit and in the protection of our nation cannot be denied. [By this action] we are, in effect, blocking the path of those who want to hunt the souls of our young. We are educating our youth, imbuing them with a national spirit which will benefit our future and the strengthening and development of our state.?
A special curriculum is in the process of completion, formulated by clergymen of the Armenian Church, religion teachers and school administrators. The classes devoted to the history, traditions, and rich treasures of the Armenian Church, will commence this upcoming school year.
