Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On March 04, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; hosted twenty-one diploma holders of the Olympiad on Armenian Church History during the 2019-2020 academic year, as well as, a group of teachers from Artsakh and RA Regions. At the meeting, Very Rev. Fr. Senior Archimandrite Zakharia Baghumyan, Director of the Christian Education Center (CEC) of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Chairman of the Committee of the History of the Armenian Church National Olympiad; presented to His Holiness the process of organizing the stages of the Olympiad and the results. Very Rev. Fr. Zakharia Baghumyan noted with joy, that during those 16 years, the "History of the Armenian Church" has become one of the favorite subjects of the students and has its special place in the subject list. Then, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his Pontifical Blessings and congratulations to the teenagers. His Holiness emphasized that He is glad to see the great interest towards the subject, the evidence of which is the recorded results of the Olympiads year by year. Referring to the mission of the "History of the Armenian Church" subject introduced in the public school in cooperation with the native authorities 16 years ago, the Pontiff of All Armenians noted that the purpose was to inform the young generation about the national, spiritual and cultural values created in the Armenian Church. It was stressed that the teaching of the subject together with other subjects of Armenology promotes the formation of the national identity and behavior. The Armenian Patriarch emphasized, that the subject gives students the opportunity to get acquainted not only with the history and doctrine of the Armenian Church, but also with other Christian churches and different religions, which helps the Armenian sons to build their relationships with people from a multicultural world and with various viewpoints properly. His Holiness Karekin II urged the students to study well, to continuously educate the mind and soul, to become worthy children of the nation with their knowledge, professed values and patriotic posture; and contribute to the strengthening of the Homeland, the establishment of a peaceful and secure life. On this occasion, the Pontiff of All Armenians expressed his gratitude to all teachers of the "History of the Armenian Church" subject, for their patriotic service, adding that the spirit and heroism been demonstrated by the Armenian sons during the recent war of Atsakh, are the result of their tireless, dedicated work. His Holiness stated that the 44-day war showed the importance of the "History of the Armenian Church" subject and other Armenological subjects in the upbringing of the generations as Armenians, and forging the national image. In response to the concerns regarding the further teaching of the subject, His Holiness elucidated the previously expressed position of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the recent inadmissible approaches presented by the Ministry of ESCS; informing that the Subgroup on Educational Issues will again put the attention of the State Authorized Body of education to the positions of the Armenian Church in the coming days. In this regard, it was noted, that the issue was also addressed at the meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council convened a few days ago. In the conclusion of the meeting, the winners of the Olympiad received gifts from His Holiness, then, accompanied by the teachers, visited the museums of the Mother See.