REPRESENTATIVES OF YSU FACULTY OF ORIENTAL STUDIES ARE BLESSED IN MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

A number of students headed by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty Sevetlana Harutyunyan, the head of the Chair of Turkish Studies, Professor Alexander Safaryan, the lecturer of the same chair Varuzhan Geghamyan, assistants Mher Abrahamyan, Naira Poghosyan, Tatevik Hakobyan and associate Professor Knarik Mirzoyan, as well as the assistant of the Chair of Iranian Studies Artyom Tonoyan, the lecturers of the same chair Garnik Gevorgyan, Nver Davtyan and the lecturer of the Chair of Arabic Studies Sedrak Hrayr Michael Yovsepean got the blessing from His Holiness All Armenian Catholicos Garegin II.

Dean of the Faculty Ruben Melkonyan expressing gratitude for warm welcome said, “Like any Armenian Christian we feel blessed to meet our Patriarch”.
The Dean made a historical review of the faculty and referred to the activity of orientalists stressing their role and importance in statehood.
“It is important to point out the role of Armenian clergy in Oriental Studies. While conducting Oriental studies we use various works written by the Armenian clergymen. For example, the work entitled “Patriarchal memories” by Archbishop Zaven Yeghean is very important for Turkologists.
“The aim of our visit is to get the patriarchal blessing for the activity of the faculty”, said the Dean stressing that he is always ready to convey the knowledge of Oriental field to the clergymen.

Dean Ruben Melkonyan also passed the letter-request of YSU Rector Aram Simonyan to be present at the events dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Oriental Studies to take place on November 9 and 10.

His Holiness All Armenia Catholicos Garegin II greeted those present congratulating them on the 50th anniversary and attached importance to the achievements and activity of the faculty. The Catholicos told about the cooperation with the Dioceses of Armenian Apostolic Church in the countries of the Middle East and about overcoming of different problems.

“I urge you to show good performance to become useful tour people and homeland with your professional abilities. Live your life in wisdom which is in serving your nation, homeland and the God”, said the All Armenian Catholicos.

After serving the ritual of blessing and wishing success to the Faculty, the Catholicos answered the questions of those present. The representatives of the Faculty of Oriental Studies asked the Patriarch about the path he had chosen, about sectarian movements and struggle against them, about absence of churches in some towns and many other questions.