"NORAVANK" Study Group
For young people aged 16 to 25
Led by Dcn Garo Nokhoudian
"NAREK" Study Group
For young people aged 26 to 40, as well as couples
Led by Dcn Garo Nokhoudian
Bible study sessions specially designed for young people and organized by the Armenian Sourp Hagop Church were launched in 2004. Over the years, up to 100 young people have participated in the activities of this Bible study group.
These meetings for the youtht were always held in the boardroom of the church. So far, they have studied the Gospel according to Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and after a short pause they resumed the studies of the Gospel according to John. The courses were held every two weeks on Sunday morning from 10.30 am to 11.30 am under the direction of the head of the Christian education council of that time Very Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian. Currently, the study focuses on Solomon's Book of Wisdom. In this case, the book "Commentary of the Book of Wisdom of Solomon" by Nerses of Lampron translated into modern armenian by His Grace Bishop Anushavan Danielian is used as guide.
At one time, the courses were held on Friday nights. For another time they were held on Saturday evenings and finally after a short break the classes take place on Sundays mornings. The first study session was presented by deacon Toros Babikian who was succeeded by deacon Garo Nokhoudian assuming the overall responsibility for the studies. It goes without saying that the study sessions have always been supported and followed closely by the pastor of the parish Rev. Archpriest Fr.r Karnig Koyounian. Mr. Tigran Aintablian, who was visiting Montreal from Beirut for a few months, also contributed to these studies. After a short break, on switching to the bi-weekly frequency for Sunday morning study sessions, the following people took part through Skype from Cambridge, Toronto, Vancouver, New York and Lebanon: Very Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian, the Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, psychiatrist and deacon Vahan Kouyoumdjian and Mr. Dikran Aindablian.
At one point, discussions on current themes were organized for course participants. Among the topics discussed were abortion, euthanasia, cremation, etc. In addition, during the holidays, informal dinners, tours, and movies with spiritual themes were organized.
Presently, this study circle, while drawing on the popular name given to Gregory of Narek's "Book of Lamentations", is called the "NAREK" study circle and has set up a special committee composed of Mrs. Mariam Khachadurian-Boyajian,Miss Nina Arabian and Miss Christine Amirian. As part of the circle's activities, this committee is responsible for planning and improving the methodology of meetings, participating in the presentation of themes and traditions, and organizing lectures and movie projections.
At the end of 2016, it was proposed to launch a new group for young people aged 16-25. The initiative was launched in 2017, immediately after the availability of a a core group was verified.
Every two weeks on Sunday mornings from 9:45 am to 10:45 am, young people between the ages of 16 and 25 take part in the Bible study sessions and then attend Sunday school or go to the church gallery to render their contribution. Inspired by the Armenian monastic school "Noravank", this study group is called "NORAVANK" and has set up a committee composed of 2 young men: deacon Goryoune Koyounian and Aren Babikian.
At this time, the the study is devoted to the Gospel according to Matthew following the work "Study of the Gospel according to Matthew" by the late Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian under the editorship of Very Rev. Fr. Karnig. To date, the following persons have participated in the presentations: Very Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian through Skype, the Rev. Fr. Vartan Tashjian, deacon Toros Babikian and deacon Garo Nokhoudian.
If you are interested in joining the groups, please send an email to eglise@sourphagop.net or call 514 331 5445, ext. 202 to add your name and contact information to our email list and receive timely information.
