Tavush Media tells about the events dedicated to the 800th anniversary of Khoranashat catechism on May 28-30: presentation and conference of “Khoranashat 800” trilingual illustrated book, spiritual and folk song, and music.
After the Liturgy, the Andastan ceremony was held with the Holy Cross and the Gospel of Khoranashat, which returned home after hundred years of separation, in the area close to the community hall.
Ethnographic and folk ensembles of Berd community had a performance during the event. The Armenian State Chamber Choir (artistic director and chief conductor) had a concert at the culture house of Chinari, and the visitors had the opportunity to listen to spiritual songs.
On the second day of the event, the presentation of an illustrated book, “Khoranashat 800,” took place at the Culture House of Chinari, which was followed by a conference dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the scientific and spiritual center. The conference aimed at making the inheritance of Khoranashat Monastery, the Monastery, and the architecture of the Monastery public. Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the Primate of the Diocese of Tavush, Vahram Dumanyan, the Minister of ESCS, Ashot Melkonyan, Director of the Institute of History of NAS RA, Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan, Director of Matenadaran named after Mesrop Mashtots, Gevorg Saghoyan, the Coordinator of the initiative group of the events dedicated to the 800th anniversary of Khoranashat made a welcoming speech at the conference.
The evening was summed up with a concert program by the “Akunq” folk song and dance ensemble. The events ended with the screening of the “Zulali” movie, and the meeting with the creative group. The events were carried out with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of the Republic of Armenia.
According to Academician Ashot Melkonyan, Director of the Institute of History of NAS RA; “Every morning we open our eyes in Yerevan, and see Mountain Ararat, which is in captivity, in this wonderful piece of north-eastern Armenia, in Tavush, Khoranashat is on the border; fortunately, on this side of the border. On May 28, the day of the restoration of Armenian statehood is very meaningful; we have gathered to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Khoranashat.”
Photos by Tavush Diocese and Berd Municipality.
Khoranashat is located in the northeast of Chinari village, right next to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The Monastery was founded by Monk Vardapet, with the support of Vahramyan kings. The construction finished in 1222.
Khoranashat was one of the largest educational, scientific-cultural, and theological centers of Medieval Armenia. Vardapetaran of Khoranashat was a school with historical studies, for 7-8 years. History, theology, philosophy, bibliography, musicology, grammar, astrology, calendar studies, natural sciences, and botany were taught at Khoranashat. They also copied manuscripts.
Famous philosopher Vardan Areveltsi, historian Grigor Akneretsi, and catholicos Grigor Akhtamaratsi studied here.
Khoranashat was also a center of writing. Many of the valuable manuscripts written in Khoranashat are kept in Matenadaran, including “The Book of Lamentation”, “Narek”, and “Mashtots” manuscripts. The famous manuscript of “The Gospel” was also created in the Monastery.
