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Spiritual reawakening of newly independent Armenia, people’s turning to the Church and national traditions set forth the primary task of organizing young generations’ religious and Christian education. The primary task of the center opened in 1991 was organization of two-year training courses for teachers of religion. Parallel to training courses Sunday schools were opened throughout the territory of the Diocese and since 1993 teachers having the right to teach religion upon the public schools’ directors’ imitative started to teach religion also at public schools.
Since September 2003 teaching of the subject “History of the Armenian Apostolic Church” passed under the state control.
Presently the main task of the Center is the control of training process at Sunday schools and support to that process.
Lessons are held on Saturdays and Sundays, apart from public school lessons. Lessons are free and voluntary. Children become acquainted with the national and church feasts, biblical stories, study church hymns and songs, prayers, are always communicated with clergy, visit churches and monasteries. Teaching at Sunday schools is realized within the frames of the manual issued by the Christian Education Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Textbooks issued in 1993 and 1996 are used for teaching and new textbooks issued by the financial means of World Vision International Christian humanitarian organization for younger schoolchildren entitled “Our life is with God” are used.
Sunday school teachers organize national-ecclesiastical festivities and pilgrimages at least twice each year. Meetings with the clergy and lectures are periodically organized for teachers.
Presently there are seven Sunday schools throughout the territory of the Diocese where about 600 schoolchildren study. Among them are: |
