Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On August 31, on the eve of the new Academic year, a Blessing of the Teachers service was offered in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. This tradition was started in 2010.

Prior to the service, Mr. Levon Mkrtchyan, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia; and His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See; met with the Armenian Pontiff.

The service was attended by members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Education, Science, Sport and Youth; employees of the RA Ministry of Education and Science; rectors of higher educational institutions; representatives of state educational institutions and regional administrations, and directors of provincial public schools and kindergartens.

At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his Pontifical message and blessings.

“With delight, we welcome you at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, in this sacred sanctuary of our nation. We extend our pontifical blessings, best wishes and congratulations to you, as well as all the supporters of education, on the occasion of the Knowledge Day and the start of the new 2017-18 academic year.

Following the summer holidays, our educational institutions again open their doors to the younger generation, to transfer knowledge and skills and educate their minds and souls.

Knowledge and education have always been a priority for our people and through our educational institutions, writing and literature have always been constant companions in our lives. The craving and aspiration of knowledge, as the words of the Scriptures say: “Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge. (Proverbs 23:12). Sacred and sublime, but at the same time we all have a great and difficult duty, particularly the teachers and pedagogues, keeping education vibrant and a priority, and satisfying the thirst of our younger generation for education and science. Indeed, the job undertaken by the teacher is a title that requires dedication, spirit and responsibility. The teacher becomes an example of knowledge for their students, at the same time an example of honesty, justice and high virtues. You live a great happiness and responsibility in your service dear beloved.

The generation that is educated and prepared through your efforts, in the rapidly-changing developments of our days, will have spiritual, intellectual potential and courage to ensure the continuity of our people and statehood and constantly strengthening and progress.

This day, filled with the spirit of St. Mashtots, when you have come to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to pray, to be renewed in spirit; we offer our prayers to Almighty God, so that you will always have the zeal of serving and that God may grant you abundant gifts of wisdom to put your dedicated efforts into the new academic year for the sake of the quality education of our new generation and homeland, and the prosperous future of our people in the Diaspora. We extend our appeal to you through the words of the Apostle: “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:7)”, stated His Holiness, summarizing his words through the "Wisdom of the Father, Jesus" prayer of the Pontiff St. Nerses the Graceful.

Following the service a reception was held. br />      Վերջում տեղի ունեցավ նաև ընդունելություն: