350th Anniversary of the Printing of Armenian Bible Was Marked in the Armenian Diocese in Georgia |
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On December 16, 2016, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the “Hayartun” Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted an event, dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the first printed Armenian Bible. At the beginning of the event, the choir of the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi sang the Lord's Prayer, later, under the singing of the Hrashapar Hymn, the Encyclical of the Catholicos of All Armenians issued to mark the 350th anniversary of the printing of the Armenian Bible was brought in. Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, read the Pontifical Encyclical. The film on the dedicated work of Voskan of Yerevan in Amsterdam was shown. The first Armenian Bible was published in 1666 in Amsterdam with the efforts of Archbishop Voskan Yerevantsi. It was published in 5000 copies. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, delivered the closing message and blessings remarks. The Diocesan Primate reflected on the wonder of the printing of the Armenian language Bible, as a unique tool for the preservation of the national, development of culture and literature and strengthening of Christian faith. The Bishop expressed his filial gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for commemorating and highlighting the significance of the 350th anniversary of the first printed Armenian Bible through His Pontifical Encyclical, everywhere, particularly at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The Makar Yekmalyan Choir of the Cathedral of Saint George of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia (led by Svetlana Tatoeva) performed the Lord's Prayer, the Hrashapar Hymn, “Varanimk i Meghats” (Chant for the Holy Virgin), “Ov Zarmanali”, and the hymn "Hrashatsan pakutsmamb", which is dedicated to the Saintly Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide; while the Saint Nerses Shnorhali Youth Vocal Ensemble of the Hayartun Center (Choirmaster - Maria Abulyan, Piano – Karen Mirzoyan) sang “Nor Tsaghik” (New Flower) by Nerses Shnorhali, “Hayots Grer” by Mesrop Mashtots, and “Armenian Lullaby” by Rafael Patkanyan. The Armenian-language Bible reprinted by Abbot Mkhitar Sebastatsi in 1733 in Venice, the copies of Armenian Bible published in 1786 and 1842 in Tpkhis, in 1857 and 1895 in Constantinople and in other years, were exhibited during the event. In attendance were the clergy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, diplomats from the RA Embassy in Georgia, leaders of community-based organizations, Tbilisi Armenian intellectuals, and civil society members. The diocesan clergy, the Hayartun Center, the employees of the Diocesan Headquarters took part in the event. The event concluded with the blessings of the Diocesan Primate and with the “Guard Us” prayer. |