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ANTELIAS: HH Aram I declares 2012 "Year of The Armenian Book"

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  • ANTELIAS: HH Aram I declares 2012 "Year of The Armenian Book"

    PRESS RELEASE
    Catholicosate of Cilicia
    Communication and Information Department
    Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
    Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
    Fax: (04) 419724
    E- mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/

    PO Box 70 317
    Antelias-Lebanon

    Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia

    2012 YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK
    (Summary in English of the Pontifical Message of His Holiness Aram I)

    Pontifical Message Addressed to the
    Prelates of the Dioceses of the Holy See of Cilicia,
    Members of the Clergy,
    Church Councils and Community Organizations,
    And the Faithful of the Armenian Church

    We greet you from the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias with Christian love
    and fatherly blessing, and we pray that 2012 will be a year of spiritual
    growth and renewal, arising from the Christian values and traditions
    transmitted to us by our church. We also pray that it will be a year of
    accomplishments, as we seek justice and peace.

    In 2006 we celebrated the "1600th Anniversary of the invention of the
    Armenian Alphabet"; in 2007 we declared "2007 Year of the Armenian
    Language." In our messages, we said, "along with our faith and homeland,
    the Armenian language should remain the source of our identity and a symbol
    of national unity."

    2012 is the 500th Anniversary of the Armenian printing press, which has
    played a significant role in preserving and transmitting our language, faith
    and culture. The 500th Anniversary also coincides with UNESCO's nomination
    of Yerevan as "2012 Armenian Book Capital."

    Against this background of important events, we declare

    "2012 YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK"

    In fact, the Armenian printed book has accompanied our people at all times,
    deepened its spiritual growth, enriched its cultural values and strengthened
    its resistance to all efforts to distort our identity and destroy our
    community life. I am sure that our people will associate themselves with
    this important event and, through the Armenian book, focus on the essential
    issues and challenges touching the life of our church and nation.

    In order to appreciate the significant achievements made in the area of
    printed books, we should become acquainted with the history of the Armenian
    printing press.

    History and Centers of 500 Years of Armenian Printing

    Historically, printing technology began in China around the 11th Century
    with woodcuts stamped on leather or other materials. This primitive
    technology arrived in Europe during the 15th Century. According to Nicholas
    Milescu, Europe's first Ambassador to China, a certain Armenian traveler
    named Anton played an instrumental role in the invention of the typographic
    technology by Gutenberg in 1439. By 1512, the Armenians were using the
    Gutenberg technology and around this time the first Armenian carving of
    letters and miniatures on metal moulds appeared. It is important to note
    that Armenian block books were compiled at the same time as Hebrew and
    Arabic.

    The publishing work begun with Hagop Meghabart, Apkar Tokhatetsi, Apkar son
    of Sultanshah, Hovhannes Derzntsi, Voskan Yerevantsi and Khatchadour
    Kesaratsi. The Armenian prayer book, "Ourpatakirk" ("Book of Friday"), was
    published by Hagop Meghabard in 1512 in Vienna. This publication was
    innovative because it was the first to incorporate red and black inks. The
    second book to be published in Armenian was the Bible. The printing of the
    Bible and other prayer books changed how Armenian faith and culture were
    communicated.It created a living relation between the faithful and the
    liturgical life of the church. It also greatly impacted and renewed the
    spiritual life of the people.

    During the following two hundred years, the most important works dealing
    with the history of the Armenian people and the church and several church
    fathers were printed. The classical Armenian translations of major Greek and
    Latin church fathers too appeared in printed form.

    The avant-guards of Armenian printing encouraged other European publishers
    to produce Armenian books. The theological debate prompted the publication
    in Rome of a number of theological books and sermons. These books were then
    used to proselytize Armenians. At the same time, many other books on the
    Armenian Church, history, culture, language and grammar also appeared. These
    books aimed at reaching Armenian communities everywhere. The most important
    of these were: "Grammar and Rational Thinking" (1645) by the Armenologue
    Gueghemes Galanos, "Zedoutiun Haygapanutian" (1674) by Hovhannes Holov of
    Constantinople and a book on classical Armenian, "Dictionary for Latin and
    Armenian" (1695) by Asdouadzadour Nersesovich.

    Despite political and financial difficulties, Armenian books continued to be
    published. These treasures of Armenian literary works, academic writings and
    patristic literature contributed profoundly to our people's knowledge of
    their history, church and culture. In other words, they helped the Armenian
    people to deepen their self-understanding and remain firmly attached to
    their spiritual, cultural and ethnic roots at a crucial period of their
    history.

    Let us now look at the major centres that harnessed the publication of
    Armenian books as the life-giving sap of the Armenian people.
    Our most important publication was the "Bible" (1666-1668) by Voskan
    Yerevantsi in Amsterdam. Also during the years,1668-1675, Voskan Yerevantsi
    published theological and ecclesiological works, such as Movses Khorenatsi's
    "Kirk Ashkharhats" (1668), Vartan Aikegtsi's "Aghouesakirk" (1688), Arakel
    Tabrijetsi's "Kirk Badmoutian" (1699) and "Arhesd Kamaroghoutian" (1675),
    which was the first book in the Western Armenian language. During this
    period, the number of copies published per title rose from 500 to 5000, thus
    making the Bible and Armenian literature available to the wider public.

    As a result of the efforts of Mekhitar Sepasdatsi and through the
    sponsorship of many wealthy Armenians, Constantinople, with its large
    Armenian population, became a major centre for publications. For thirty-five
    years (1698-1734), the printing house of Krikor Marzounetsi among important
    books also published the following titles: "Haysmavourk" (1706), "Armenian
    History" (1709) by Akatankeghos, "Badmoutiun Yerkri Daron" (1719) by Zenob
    Klag and "Kirk Hartsmants" (1720) by Krikor Datevatsi.In 1699, Asdouadzadour
    Tbir of Constantinople established his own printing house, and for 50 years
    he published more than 80 religious titles. He also published the first
    edition of Naregatsi's "Book of Lamentations" in 1702. During the 18th
    Century, more than 20 printing houses were active in Constantinople.

    Starting in 1727, the Mekhitarist Fathers played a pivotal role in this
    domain. They published 270 volumes at their printing house on the island of
    St. Lazarus (Italy). Among these were Mekhitar Sepastatsi's "Tourn
    Ashkharhapar Lezoui" (1727), "Parakirk Haygazian Lezoui" (1779) and Ghazar
    Parbetsi's "Badmoutiun Hayots" (1793). The printing house of the Mekhitarist
    Fathers in Vienna (Austria) also published many important titles.

    In 1772, a printing house was established in Madras (India) by the
    Shahamirian family. Their publications included: Hagop Shahamirian's "Nor
    Dedrak Vor Gotchi Hortorak" (1772) and Shahamir Shahamirian's "Vorokayt
    Parats" (1773). They also published the first Armenian Monthly, "Aztarar,"
    which was edited by Rev. Shemavon Shemavonian. With the publication of
    Aztarar a new page was opened in the literary life of the Armenian community
    in India.

    Several Armenian communities contributed to publishing work. In 1637, the
    Abbot of Saint Amenaperguitch Monastery in New Julfa (Iran) established a
    printing house, and in 1638 he published "Saghmosaran". In 1781, the first
    printing house in Moscow was established by Krikor Khaltarian, a businessman
    from New Julfa, under the auspices of the Armenian Prelate in Russia, Rev.
    Hovsep Arghoutian. In 1823, a year after the establishment of the Nersesian
    School in Tbilisi (Georgia), Catholicos Nerses Ashdaraketsi of Etchmiadzin
    established a new printing house there. This printing house became the
    centre of the Eastern Armenian Renaissance.

    Over the years and with the expansion and organization of the Armenian
    Diaspora, many new printing houses were founded in Armenian communities
    everywhere, and funds to support publications were established.

    The Armenian Church and the Armenian Book

    Culture has been a vital dimension of the life and mission of the Armenian
    Church. Not only did the Armenian Church create the Armenian alphabet, it
    also supported and supervised the writing of manuscripts and the painting of
    miniatures. Hence, it was natural that the church also engage actively in
    the printing work.
    Publications flourished in the monasteries of Armenia and Cilicia. The
    printing houses in Etchmiadzin, Sis (later Antelias), Jerusalem and
    Constantinople continued to provide old and new spiritual, liturgical and
    literary works to the people.

    In 1771, Catholicos Simeon of Yerevan, Catholicos of All Armenians,
    established the first printing press (St. Gregory the Illuminator) on
    Armenian soil in St. Etchmiadzin. In 1772, "Sposaran Hokevor," the
    prayerbook of the Catholicos, was printed. The printing house continued to
    functionactively in St. Etchmiadzin.

    The Catholicosate of Cilicia also published important titles in its
    monasteries and its own printing house. With the Armenian Genocide, the
    Ottoman Turks not only killed one and a half million Armenians, but also
    destroyed old manuscripts, books and the printing houses. In 1930, in
    Antelias (Lebanon), before constructing the Cathedral and the residence of
    the Catholicos, Sahak Catholicos Khabayan establishd a printing house. Under
    the leadership of Catholicos Karekin I Hovsepiantz, the Catholicosate
    published many scholarly books on Armenian studies. Publishing work expanded
    to other domains of Armenian religious and cultural life and literature and
    became an integral part of the mission of the Holy See of Cilicia.

    The printing house of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, founded in
    1833, started its own publication work in religion, history and literature.
    Among its publications, it is important to mention "Badmoutiun" by Hohannes
    Traskhanaguertsi and "History of Tatars" (1870) by Vartan Arevelktsi.

    The publications work of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople has
    remained limited because of restrictions imposed by Turkish authorities.

    The Armenian Book
    The Indicator of the Spiritual and Cultural Mission of the Holy See of
    Cilicia

    Despite all difficulties, the Holy See of Cilicia has guarded the essential
    role of publications as part of its vocation. By encouraging new authors and
    researchers, the Catholicosate reaches out to the members of Armenian
    communities everywhere. Only through the written Armenian word will the
    language created by St. Mesrob Mashdotz strengthen the faith of the Armenian
    believer, enrich the spirituality of our church, shape the vision of the
    people and build community by communicating our spiritual, moral and
    national values and ideals and by building relations. With this firm
    expectation, the Holy See of Cilicia continues, with new impetus, to publish
    books. By reading Armenian books, our people will discover our history of
    struggle and survival, guard our historical memories and traditions and
    discover our spiritual and cultural treasures.

    In spite of major advances in the area of audio-visual and communication
    technology, we believe that the printed book has a special place and role in
    education, in the promotion of our cultural and spiritual values and
    traditions, as well as in our church's missionary outreach and community
    building. It is with this conviction that new publication funds have been
    established by benefactors under the auspices of our Holy See of Cilicia.

    Along with these continuing efforts, over the past few years, we have
    observed a new phenomenon. It became clear to us that our people are reading
    fewer books. In 2004, in our message during the opening of the book fair,
    which our Catholicosate organizes every October, we said, "it is with regret
    that we observe the marginalization of the Armenian book in Armenia and the
    Diaspora. New value systems are guiding the life of our people; new
    priorities are dominating our life. We are most concerned that our clergy,
    our academics, teachers and our students remain indifferent towards the
    book".

    In 2009, in our message at the opening of the book fair, we said:

    We must be consciously aware that:
    Without the Armenian book our desk is poor,
    Without the Armenian book our life is empty,
    Without the Armenian book our spirit is thirsty;
    Without the Armenian book the road before us is dark,
    Therefore, read the Armenian book and remember that:
    The one who reads books is enriched,
    The one who prints books is dignified,
    The one who writes books is immortalized ."

    On this occasion of the 500th Anniversary of Armenian printed books, we want
    to express our great appreciation to publishers and donors who continue to
    support the Armenian book. We call upon our people and particularly to
    youth, students and teachers not to become drowned in the new technologies
    that make reading easy and give quick and superficial information. We want
    us to recover and rediscover the true vocation of the Armenian book. We
    would like to see the Armenian book become the friend of Armenians of all
    age groups and to inspire our people in their quest for a
    spiritually-sustained and vision-oriented life.

    Conclusion

    On the occasion of the "Year of the Armenian Book", through our Pontifical
    Message, we address the Prelates, Clergy, the leadership of Church Councils
    and Community organizations of the Holy See of Cilicia, and ask them to
    cherish and promote the Armenian book as the bastion of Armenian spiritual
    and cultural values, as the foundation of our Armenian national heritage and
    identity and as the source of the ideals and dreams of the Armenian people.
    We therefore recommend the following:

    Armenian academics and writers be invited to produce works of quality and
    vision that may enable our people to enrich their lives with spiritual,
    moral, cultural and national values, tradition and ideals.

    Armenian benefactors be encouraged to sponsor the publication of specific
    works or create earmarked funds to support publication projects.

    Armenian families be encouraged to build their own libraries at home and
    read and discuss Armenian books as an integral part of family life and
    activities.

    Armenian publishers be supported in their endeavors and helped to ensure
    reasonable prices for books to make them available to the wider public.

    Libraries be created in schools and community centres in order to enrich the
    interaction between the Armenian book and our youth and children.
    The book is a rich source of knowledge; and knowledge generates faith and
    faithfulness, responsibility and commitment; it enhances self-understanding
    and promotes mutual respect and understanding.

    It is our wish that through these efforts and other ways that you may think
    of, we shall re-establish the centrality and vital importance of the book in
    the life of the Armenian Church and Nation. We also hope that through our
    commitment to the Armenian published works, we shall strengthen our national
    identity and deepen and broaden the dialogue with our neighbours in
    different environments in which we live.

    We pray that the grace and blessings of the Almighty God may strengthen
    spiritually our people in Armenia and in the Diaspora.

    Prayerfully,
    ARAM I
    CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA

    1 January 2012
    Holy See of Cilicia
    Antelias, Lebanon

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