2004 Annual Report of the Coordinator of Armenian Studies

Following humbly in the footsteps of the shapers of Armenia’s Golden Age, the Diocese’s Armenian Studies programming (formerly the Armenian Language Lab and Resource Center) has worked to instill in every Armenian the strength love, and will to keep the Armenian identity intact.

Distinctive Achievements of 2004

High School and College Credit: After reviewing the Diocesan Armenian school curriculum, New York’s Board of Education awarded three regents credits for Armenian as a foreign language to a graduate of the Diocesan once-a-week Armenian school program, and will consider all qualified high-school students eligible for the same.

Another accredited program, for students 18 and over, is a new eight-day seminar, Looyss ee loosoh [Light of light]: The Armenian and His Faith, which earns three college credits.  It ran from Jul. 25 to Aug. 1 in its inaugural year.

1600th Anniversary of the Armenian Alphabet: This upcoming milestone presented an opportunity to establish new programs, create new instructional materials, and publish a brochure on how best to observe the occasion.

New Curriculum for St. Vartan Camp: A complete schedule of lesson plans and projects to teach Armenian language, history, culture, faith, religious and national holidays was developed for use by the Diocesan camp programs.  Also, we developed a special training program for those who, having completed the requirements, want to take a more active role in camp and local parishes.

Contests: The department sponsored, and Khrimian Lyceum students participated in, 14 competitions for Armenian school students.

Publications: These included new editions of two textbooks, with dictionary appendices in Armenian and English transliteration; an arts-and-crafts coloring book, A Trip To My Armenian Roots, illustrated by Seta Yavru-Sakuk; and the 2005 Poster-Calendar, “May the Alphabet of the Armenian Nation Forever Ring in Our Ears,” illustrated by Paul Sagsoorian, designed by Armen Edgarian.

Poetry: The coordinator penned several poems for general and occasional use, including: Tsehzee mehzee mehdz avehdeess, a verse drama of the birth of Jesus, for use as a marionette show, illustrated by Paul Sagsoorian; “Aypuh pa-ree oo keh-gheh-tseeg,” a rhyme on the letters of the Armenian alphabet; a poem in memory of the late Catholicos Vasken I, presented by Lori Manookian during a memorial banquet held at the Diocesan Center (Dec. 5); a new anthem for St. Vartan Camp, with music by Khoren Meikanejian.

Noteworthy Observation: The coordinator was pleased to note that the curriculum now being adopted in American public schools, known as “No Child Left Behind,” employs the same method championed in our Ara-and-Maral Armenian language textbooks.

Highlights of 2004’s Ongoing Activities

Emphasis on Religious Education: From instruction on singing the badarak, to providing general knowledge on Christianity and Armenian Church traditions, the importance of religious education in Armenian schools was emphasized through publications and new programs.

Summer Programs: These included the venerable “Teachers’ College” (Jul. 11-Jul. 18), which for 30 consecutive years has trained teachers, superintendents, and administrators—12 per year—who receive three college credits in elementary education; Looyss ee loosoh: The Armenian and His Faith, a new week-long seminar (described above), whose 10 students receive three college credits in humanities.

Khrimian Lyceum: A year-long (Sep.–Jun.) Saturday course for Armenian schools graduates 12 to 18 years old, whose curriculum includes internships, lectures, and symposia on religion, language, history, culture, and etiquette, as well as extra-curricular activities in the arts.  The original, long-running Khrimian Lyceum served the community in region surrounding the Diocesan Center (NY/NJ/CT); branches of the program in New England and the Midwest complete their first year of operation in 2004.

Mesrob Mashdots Institute: An Armenian language course for adults, meeting in New York.  The autumn semester involved 15 sessions of language instruction, aimed at Beginner and Intermediate levels; the spring semester of 8 sessions revolved around Armenian literature.

 “Outreach” Symposia: A day-long, accredited, traveling symposium was established to pique interest among Armenians who are not involved in church activities.  Each event featured several speakers—historians, scholars, authors, educators, artists—addressing “Armenia Land of Wonders” (Apr. 3, New York), “Festival of Armenian Books” (April 3, Boston), “Facing the Challenges of the 3rd Millennium” (Sep. 11, New York).  About 200 people total participated in these three symposia.

Special Events and Projects: Armenian Martyrs Day “Silent Chain of Prayers” (Apr. 24); Khrimian Lyceum’s Azkatroshm Ceremonies and Graduation (Jun. 12); Metropolitan Museum of Art educational guided tour (Oct. 23); Holy Translators Day official opening of Armenian schools (Oct. 9); “Festival of Armenian Authors and Books” (Jan. 24); the 24-hour “Cultural Hotline”—(212) 689-6845—for Armenians who prefer to receive their cultural instruction via telephone; “From America to Armenia, with Love,” a school fundraising project to benefit Armenia’s Madenataran.

Periodicals and General Publications: Three issues Zarteer, Huh-ra-sha-leek, and Gar oo chuh-gar, featuring original poems, articles and games; the Armenian School activities booklet, which appears as a section of Armenian Church Educator, a Diocesan webzine; four-color poster-calendars for 2004 and 2005; test manuals for various grades; new catalogue/order form.

Celebrations and Awards: These included awards for 25 years of services to the Diocesan Armenian schools (five recipients from five parishes); and certificates given to benefactors, teachers, superintendents and students for their achievements.

Personnel: Sylva L. der Stepanian was the coordinator of Armenian Studies under the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education through 2004.  She departed the Diocesan staff at the end of that year, after over 30 years of service to the Armenian Church, heritage, and community, principally as director of the Diocese’s Armenian Language Lab and Resource Center.