Distributing the Revised Edition of “Etchmiadzin” Bible

  In recent years the BS of Armenia distributed Bibles to all teachers of “Armenian Church History” subject in all public schools of the Republic of Armenia. This year the Revised “Etchmiadzin” Bible in modern Eastern Armenian orthography came to light. The classical orthography of previous editions caused difficulties to read the Bible. The BS of Armenia worked towards providing all the teachers with the revised edition of the Bible. The project got underway from Aragatsotn Province followed by visits to cities of Vanadzor and Spitak (Lori Province) in October. On the 21st of December, within the framework of the “Bible to Schools” joint project with the Christian Education Centre of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Arshavir Kapoudjian, the BS of Armenia Projects Director, and His Eminence Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, the Director of the Christian Education Centre, accompanied by Deacon Serob Iskhanyan, visited Stepanavan city in the Province of Lori. Meeting was held with Stepanavan and Tashir regions schoolteachers of “Armenian Church History”, and Revised “Etchmiadzin” Bibles in modern Eastern Armenian orthography were distributed to them. The next leg was Alaverdi city of Lori Province, where the teachers of the region also received Revised “Etchmiadzin” Bibles. Tatul Ekanyan extended gratitude on behalf of the teachers, saying: “I believe that our request was fulfilled today. First of all a gap was filled. Second, our request was met in two aspects, receiving the Bible and having this meeting. We feel respected by your visit and organizing this wonderful meeting.” The priests of the region were present during the meeting.  

Study Bible: The Gospel According to Luke

We are happy to announce that with the approaching of Christmas, the Bible Society of Armenia has published “Study Bible: The Gospel According to Luke”. It is the firstfruit of the unprecedented “Study Bible” project. We extend our gratefulness to the German Bible Society for supporting the project.  

The Visit of Translation Projects Representatives of the United Bible Societies to the Bible Society of Armenia

 On the 5-7th of March, the BS of Armenia welcomed Dr Marina Lomova, Translation Project Management Coordinator (UBS Global Mission Team) and Dr Marijke De Lang, Global Translation Advisor (UBS Global Mission Team). The visit aimed at getting closer acquaintance with the BS of Armenia translation projects. On the 6th of March, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, the General Secretary of the BS of Armenia, and by staff members, they visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and were received by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness highlighted the UBS mission to translate and distribute the Bible, welcomed the long-term collaboration between the UBS and the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the BS of Armenia translations and other projects that offer an opportunity for Armenians to get acquainted with the Bible and enrich their Scripture knowledge. The General Secretary of the BS of Armenia and the UBS representatives spoke about current translation projects. After receiving blessing by His Holiness and expressing their gratitude, the guests visited the Treasury Museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This was followed by a visit to Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology where a training was held with a group of 20 priests for the future work of the BS of Armenia projects in provinces. On the 7th of March, a meeting was held with the working group of “Common New Testament” project (UBS 71166). The project aims at producing New Testament accepted by the three historical Churches of Armenia (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant). The working procedure of translators and the Church Committee (consisting of three Churches representatives) was introduced to Dr Marina Lomova and  Dr Marijke De Lang, and they took part in the discussions related to the translation of Acts. Bilateral meetings touched on the BS of Armenia current and future translation projects, including “Study Bible: Old Testament”, “Youth Bible”, “Family Bible”, “Contemporary Language Translation”. The UBS representatives got to know more of other BS of Armenia projects as well and expressed their admiration about their scope and diversity During the three day visit the UBS representatives visited also Khor Virap Monastery (the place where the history of adopting Christianity as official religion in Armenia (301) begins), Matenadaran (repository of about 23,000 ancient manuscripts) and Pantheon after Komitas.  

UBS Global Mission Team Representative Visits the Bible Society of Armenia

The General Secretary of Swiss Bible Society and German Bible Society Partners visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On the 15th of October, Eva Thomi, the General Secretary of the Swiss Bible Society, Eckart Schultz-Berg, German Bible Society partner, Superintendent of the Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, and their delegation visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, headed by His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Armenia, accompanied by Arshavir Kaoudjian, the BS of Armenia Projects Director, and Hasmik Muradyan, the Paratext Administrator. The General Secretary of the BS of Armenia introduced the members of the Swiss and German Bible Societies joint delegation to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and extended gratitude for the support of the two Bible Societies to the BS of Armenia. The visit of the delegation to Armenia aimed at gaining more acquaintance with the BS of Armenia projects and develop the prospects of collaboration. Blessing all the participants of the meeting and highlighting the BS of Armenia activity, His Holiness Karekin II emphasized that thanks to the work of the Bible Society of Armenia, many people not only know about the Bible but also have it in their homes. His Holiness Karekin II encouraged the supporters of the BS of Armenia to carry on and extend their collaboration. Eva Thomi and Eckart Schultz-Berg held a greeting speech addressed to his Holiness. They spoke about their impressions of BS of Armenia projects they already had the opportunity to participate during their visit. The delegation also participated in the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Mother Church.  

The Word of God will be Heard also in Sign Language

On the 12th of October, the Primacy of Araratian Pontifical Diocese hosted the launch of Children’s Bible New Testament DVD-s. This New Testament DVD-s are the outcome of the joint efforts of the Bible Society of Armenia and Araratian Pontifical Diocese. They contain 128 video stories. They are presented by the young members of the deaf community. A sign language specialist Zubeyda Melikyan and Father Yesayi Aetenyan have helped them a lot with that. His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, the Vicar of Araratian Pontifical Diocese, extended gratitude to the BS of Armenia for the project, emphasizing that the DVD was yet another step to bring the deaf closer to God. Eva Thomi, the General Secretary of the Swiss Bible Society, Eckart Schultz-Berg, German Bible Society partner, Superintendent of the Lutheran Church in Stuttgart, partners of the German Bible Society were present at the event. Their visit to Armenia aimed at gaining more acquaintance with the BS of Armenia projects and develop the collaboration. The translation of the Bible in sign language and the making of video stories started in 2012. The Old Testament DVD-s in the mother tongue of the deaf came to light in spring, 2017, with 237 stories. The DVD-s are distributed for free and soon will be available also online.  

Press Conference on the Production of the Old Testament DVD-s in Sign Language

A press conference on the Old Testament DVD-s in sign language was held in “Hayacq” media company. Ten news agencies were present. Father Yesayi Artenyan, Mrs. Zubeyda Melikyan, Greta and Arshavir Kapoudjian introduced in detail the motives of the project and its twelve-year history. Father Yesayi extended his gratefulness to the Bible Society of Armenia for initiating  and fulfilling the project, highlighting the commitment of the young members of the deaf community to the Bible and the word of God. “It is the gift of all of us, when we learn to share with others from what we hear, what we see and what we have; the gift of the word of God that opened the eyes of the blind, that lifted the paralytic to his feet and opened the tongue of the deaf.”  

Bible Quiz Semifinals

On the 19th of March the Bible Society of Armenia organized the semifinal stage of the Bible Quiz. The competition was held at № 1 musical school of Etchmiadzin city. “Patani Yerkrapah” Clubs of Yerkrapah Union of Veterans from schools in Etchmiadzin region took part in the event. 16 schools were competing during the semifinal. Each school was represented by a 3-5 member team. The winners of the Bible Quiz semifinals were the teams representing the schools of Tsiatsan, Hovtashen, Haytagh, Haykashen, Aygek, Tairov, Metsamor, Voskehat communities and № 4 school of Etchmiadzin city. The winning school teams will take part in the Bible Quiz finals in autumn.  

Fiction Stories of Biblical Characters

Dear readers, soon the “Fiction Stories of Biblical Characters” section of our website will be complemented by a Scriptural novelette called “Innocent Shushan, or the Victory of Virtue.” It is the fictional retelling of the dramatic story of Shushan, a devout woman presented in the first chapter of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. This book, being very interesting and educating, is of high importance to make a strong family, be loyal in marriage and always trust God in our life.    

The Bible Society of Armenia Published New Books

We are happy to announce that the Bible Society of Armenia has published a number of new books, including Bible, Bible (for Wedding), New Testament and Psalms (New Etchmiadzin Translation), Psalms (New Etchmiadzin Translation), Book of Lamentations, Saint Grigor Narekatsi. The books are available at the bookstores of the Bible Scoiety of Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.  

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Bible in Schools

The teachers in schools always need a guidance and assistance in acquiring the basic knowledge of the Bible, how to communicate the Bible teachings to the new generation in the schools....

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Soldier’'s Bible

The BS of Armenia feels special attention must be paid to this unchurched segment of youth at a critical point in their lives. To reach the soldiers with Scriptural knowledge in 2010-2011, the BS has started the distribution of 10.000 copies...