Sunday Schools

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Historical Survey

In 1929, International Sunday Schools American Society organized a conference in Baalbek, Lebanon, to open Sunday Schools in the Biblical Lands. The Armenian Church was also invited to this conference. His Holiness Sahag I appoints H.G. Papken Gulesserian to represent the Catholicosate of Cilica at this Conference.

V Rev Fr Ardavazt Sourmelian and Rev Fr Theonisius  Drezian accompanies Bishop Gulesserian to this conference to represent the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. At this conference, it is decided to establish Sunday Schools under the auspices of the Armenian Church. Mr. Levon Zenian is appointed Director for the realization of this task. He immediately starts training teachers and preparing plans, and the Sunday School begins its educational mission.  In the Fall of 1929, the first Sunday School is opened in Aleppo, Syria in the Forty Martyr’s Kindergarten hall.

In June 1930, His Holiness Sahag I introduces Sunday Schools in a Pastoral Encyclical and they start their mission under the auspices of the Armenian Church. Soon after, Sunday Schools are opened in Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and afterwards in Iraq, Kuwait, Greece, The Americas (East, West, South), and Canada.

In the past 72 years, Sunday Schools gave to the Armenian people numerous believers, who on their part protected the church and our national values. Sunday Schools are magnificent cathedrals, where Armenian souls are opened to Almighty God.

Starting 1929, the following Directors served for the Sunday Schools.-

Deacon Levon Zenian          1929-1934

Deacon Levon Zenian          1936-1940

Rev Khoren Paroyan            1940-1941

Rev Papken Varjabedian     1942-1945

Rev Dadjad Ourfalian          1946-1947

Deacon Levon Zenian          1947-1952

Rev Papken Varjabedian     1956-1957

Rev Sahag Ayvazian             1957-1958

Rev Arsen Avedikian           1959-1960

Rev Vartan Demirdjian        1961-1963

Rev Yeznig Palayan              1963-1965

Deacon Noubar Berberian    1965-1966

Rev Dirayr Panossian            1966-1972

Rev Yeznig Palayan               1973-1975

Sarkis Poladian (assistant)      1975-1978

V Rev Sebouh Sarkissian       1978-2005

Rev Torkom Donoyan            2006-2007

Rev Ghevont Pentezian           2007-