Author Nelly Rafayelyan

On December 2, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of founding Apostles - The Feast of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew. Ս. One of the main sacred objects of the Armenian Church - the Holy Lance will be brought out from Etchmiadzin treasury-museum

 

Mother See will proclaim Constantinople Armenian painter Kristin Saleri in Armenia. The famous Ruben Sevak Museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin gave an opportunity to discover the unknown creator of the Armenian art, in which she had occupied an entire wall, and about two dozen works were kept in custody in the fund. The canvas came to the Mother See along with Ruben Sevak's collection of personal belongings and paintings. 

 

Armenian schools in Turkey face new issues: Pakrat Estukyan, Editor of the Armenian section of “Agos” Armenian periodical, is concerned.

 

In January 2016, a document signed by Catholicos of All Armenians was put into circulation to establish a Commission composed of several members of Supreme Spiritual Council and geographic lawyers for elaborating new statutory documents for the Church.  The final discussions of the packages are expected to take place in February 2018.        

 

In 2017 the Armenian Diocese of Russia and Nor Nakhichevan will mark the three hundred anniversary of its establishment. In early 18th century, when Armenia was cherishing the hope of getting rid of Turkish and Persian yoke, a new Diocese took its form in the area of the Russian Empire. What activities did the Armenian Diocese evolved in that area and what mission does it carry today among nearly 2 million Russian Armenians? The topic is discussed by the Director of Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Library of the Mother See Father Ararat Poghosyan and historian, Doctor of Russian Historical Sciences Stepan Stepanyants. 

Golden Apricot Film Festival is often accompanied with fervent discussions on films.  Even after the closing of the festival are characterised by inertial fluctuations after which everyone leaves the “cross-roads of cultures and civilizations” back to their normal life. The panorama of this year’s Golden Apricot is discussed by Davit Matevosyan, the Director of “Hrant Matevosyan” Foundation and journalist Nune Hakhverdyan.

One of the measures to prevent violence is the reform of social-cultural norms, transfer of necessary communication skills through education, and from theological viewpoint - full perception and acceptance of the identity created in the image of God. How can we build a society which will decline violence? The pavilion of “Option” hosts Director of Social Concepts Office in the Mother See Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan and psychologist of the NGO “Dialogue” Armine Vahanyan.

The results of 2017-18 academic year saw 11 375 vacancies out of 18 000 places. The specialists of the sphere declare that there is nothing extraordinary. The forecast of the next year is even worse: there will be less applicants, and the share of GDP to be allocated to the sphere of education will be reduced by the 2018-2020 midterm expenditures program of the Government. What do the experts have to offer? 

The infringements within the territory of historical cultural monuments is not something rare. The scandalous arguments and litigations over it are never a guarantee for preservation of monuments: often the offenders are the local self-government bodies which are the subjects of protection. How is it ever possible to implement effective protection of historical cultural monuments in Armenia and exclude frauds? The topic is discussed by the Director of the Service for protection of historical environment and cultural museum-reservations” SNCO Ara Tarverdyan andthe Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of National Academy Pavel Avetisyan. 

Legal evaluation of euthanasia is closely linked to the specifics of medical, moral ethical, philosophical and religious views.  In certain countries it is criminal offense, while it is legally allowed in other countries.  Euthanasia is legally prohibited in Armenia. What ethical issues does it cause globally, and does the Christian standing help overcome these issues? The topic is discussed by the Head of the Armenian Unit of UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Very Rev. Father Zakara Baghumian from the Mother See.