On September 13, 2016, the 2016/17 academic year started in the “Saint Movses Khorenatsi” Preschool of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. From the morning, a festive mood and liveliness prevailed in Tbilisi’s Saint Etchmiadzin Church courtyard. 40 Armenian children had gathered with their parents holding colorful flowers in their hands to participate in a Morning Service.

Following services, Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, transmitted to the students, parents and teachers the blessings and paternal love from His Holiness Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. Father Khoren congratulated them on their first day at preschool, wishing and urging the parents and teachers to support and encourage the students to achieve their dreams. Father Khoren wished that they would not be afraid of setting higher goals and bravely move toward their dreams.

After the blessings of the Very Rev. Father, the Lord’s Prayer and the “Guard Us” prayer, the children headed to the “Hayartun” Center in order to enter their classrooms decorated with balloons, flowers and various toys.

The first day in the Preschool started with the joy of the newcomers and elders of meeting their friends, as well as with interesting games.

The Preschool, led by Eugenia Markosyan, Director of the Educational Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; started its work with its schedule and the professional educators. It is worth mentioning that besides the development games; the children also learn songs and dances, painting, as well as doing handcrafts. And the students of the senior group are taught basic arithmetic, literacy in Armenian and Georgian and receive spiritual education.

The “Saint Movses Khorenatsi” Preschool was founded on the initiative of the Diocesan Primate. It aims at providing the Armenian education and preserving the Armenian identity.