Event, Dedicated to the Commemoration of Saint Virgins, at the “Hayartun” Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia |
On 25 May, 2013 the event, dedicated to the Commemoration of Saint Virgins Hripsime and Gayane and Saint Shushanik, took place at the “Hayartun” Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia. It was initiated by the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik”, with the support of the “Hayartun” Cultural Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia. The event started with Our Father Prayer, after that the Head of the Association of Armenian Women of Georgia "Shushanik" Susanna Khachaturian congratulated all Hripsimes, Gayanes and Shushaniks, who were present in the hall, on their name day, and added that the union considers its duty to celebrate the Commemoration of Saint Virgins, whose activities and self-devotion to the Christian faith, nation and family are the role models for the Armenian woman. After that the spiritual fathers, who attended the event, spiritual shepherd of Surb Etchmiadzin Church Samvel Torosyan, sacristan of the church Priest Manuk Zeynalyan, spiritual shepherd of the Cathedral of Saint George Priest Narek Ghushchyan in particular, told in detail about the activities and the martyrdom of Saint Virgins Hripsime and Gayane, and Saint Shushanik, generalizing the role of woman in her loyalty to the faith, the nation and devotion to the family, urged to live and follow the example of the Saints. The Head of the Association of Armenian Women of Georgia underlined the resistance of Shushanik, a daughter of Vartan Mamikonian, to atrocities of her husband the prominent Georgian feudal lord (pitiakhsh) Varsken, who renounced Christianity and adopted Zoroastrianism, thus she indicated the reason, why the abovementioned union was named after Shushanik, as respect for heroic example of Armenian woman in Georgia, who worshiped God. She briefly presented the activities and goals of the organization of Armenian women in Georgia, highlighting devotion to faith, nation and homeland, preservation of national traditions, spiritual education of future generations. The Choir of Saint George’s Cathedral, conductor Luisa Vartanova, with piano accompaniment by Karen Mirzoyan beautifully performed at the memorial event, dedicated to the Commemoration of Saint Virgins. |