On December 23, 2016, “Saint Movses Khorenatsi” Primary School celebrated New Year and Christmas in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall at the Hayartun Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The hall was decorated for the holiday festivities, thanks to the efforts of primary school teachers and the support of parents. The kids gathered together in the hall waiting for the bell to proclaim the start of the New 2017 Year.

The celebration started by the Lord’s Prayer and by blessing from the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The Head of the Educational Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and Preschool Director, Eugenia Markosyan, gave opening remarks and extended her warm wishes for a happy holiday season, while the children appeared on the scene. They were reciting, singing and dancing about New Year and Christmas, thanks to the efforts of teachers Metaksia Ghazaryan, Oksana Sharoyan, Mari Abulyan, Ivane Mkrtchyan and others.

Especially moving was the staging of the Armenian fairy tale “Nazar the Brave” related to the New Year’s tree, so beautifully and artistically done by the children.

Traditionally Santa Clause appeared on the scene; he was very pleased and at the end gave New Year presents to all the children.

Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, appreciated the work undertaken by primary school teachers to organize a wonderful celebration and get the children in the festive mood. Father Khoren called on the people present to attach great importance to the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and celebrate it more than New Year.

At the end of the event, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan offered his appreciation and blessing remarks. The Bishop referred to the activities of the Hayartun Center and the “Saint Movses Khorenatsi“ Preschool in particular, and stressed that every time the kindergarten appears in new splendor, with new decorations, which bears witness to the fact that the kindergarten is an educational institution promoting Armenian upbringing of the new generation. The Bishop expressed his gratitude to Rev. Father Stepanos Dingilyan (Western Diocese of North America) and Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan (Armenian Diocese in Georgia) together with the Diocesan Headquarters for providing children with New Year gifts. The Diocesan Primate invited everyone to participate in the ceremonies of Christmas celebration and consecration of water.

It is worth mentioning that the “Saint Movses Khorenatsi“ Preschool students also received a Christmas treat prepared by Giorgi Tumasyan (living in Tbilisi) and Samvel Movsisyan (living in Yerevan). A reception followed.