October is designated as Armenian Culture Month. Each October, the Administration and Parent-Teacher Organization of Ari Guiragos Minassian School in Orange County organize a book fair on the occasion of Armenian Culture Month and the Feast of the Holy Translators to celebrate our language and heritage and honor the legacy of our translator forefathers.
This year’s book fair was held on Sunday, October 14, 2012, at “Gugasian” Hall.
The day began with Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. A.G. Minassian School Kindergarten to fifth grade students attended the service and received Holy Communion.
After the service, the Prelate was led in a procession to “Gugasian” Hall where he conducted the blessing and opening ceremony of the book fair.
In her opening remarks Principal Mrs. Kohar Zaher reflected on the unique contributions of our translator forefathers in the preservation and fostering of our Church, language, and culture, then invited the Prelate to deliver his message to the parishioners and students.
Speaking on the Feast of the Holy Translators, the Prelate highlighted that through their great works, our translator forefathers united and strengthened our people.
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Reflecting on the blessings granted to us by God, the Prelate noted that the greatest blessing and gift is the ability to lead with corresponding words and actions. And the foundation of this blessing is to demonstrate and express our abilities through good works, and not use them for destabilization. The holy translators, continued the Prelate, were students, and they never strayed from their path as students. And when they became teachers, they did not stray in their teachings. When they changed the lives of the Armenian people, they brought about a revolution; but it was a positive revolution for the betterment of our people, for the unity, strength and splendor of our people. They bequeathed to us national and spiritual riches, and bestowed upon us our Armenian identity, our national legacy. The Prelate also encouraged the students to become the worthy children and heirs of St. Mesrob Mashdots by learning the Armenian language and history and reading Armenian books.
The book fair also featured an artistic program, presented by A.G. Minassian School students. Given that the year 2012 is the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing and also proclaimed the “Year of the Armenian Book” by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, students presented the history of Armenian printing through a play. They also recited poetry dedicated to the Armenian language, book, and St. Mesrob Mashdots. At the conclusion of the program they sang a number of songs. Dressed in traditional Armenian garb, they were photographed in front of a depiction of an Armenian village, then listened to Armenian children’s stories presented by Ms. Taline Artinian.
A reception followed, the proceeds of which will fully be allocated to assisting Armenian Schools in Syria.
