Ancient restoration underway to serve Armenian Orthodox communities
The 7th century church of Sverdlov village is being renovated with the financial support and instructive assistance of World Vision Armenia to serve 6,000 people in four communities in Lori region, Armenia.Saint George church used to be one of the religious centres in the region before it was destroyed by an earthquake and then further dismantled by the Soviet Army in 1942.
“The church will return to being one of the religious centres of Sverdlov village and its surroundings. It will also be an educational centre for children in the community,” said the Mayor of Sverdlov village Vladimir Mshetsyan. Ninety per cent of Armenia\'s population is Orthodox.
The renovation was the joint project of World Vision Armenia, Gugarats Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Sverdlov community.
World Vision is providing construction materials to renovate the roof of the church while community members are doing the manual labor. The Gugarats Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church will renovate the interior of the church and provide the community with the services of a priest.
World Vision together with the Armenian Apostolic church is also planning to open Sunday school for children.
“Lori region has very distinct Christian traditions, which the renovation of the church will serve,” said Father Vram.
“The initiative comes from the community itself, where people understand the importance of a religious centre in community life,” says Karine Harutunyan, Church and Government Relations Manager for World Vision Armenia.
The Very Reverent of the Gugarats Diocese Father Vram Ghazaryan, who now provides services in 18 communities of the region, is intending to serve at the renovated Saint George church until a priest is appointed.
Renovations started in September 2006. The village will celebrate the official opening of the church in September 2007.
“The church will return to being one of the religious centres of Sverdlov village and its surroundings. It will also be an educational centre for children in the community,” said the Mayor of Sverdlov village Vladimir Mshetsyan. Ninety per cent of Armenia\'s population is Orthodox.
The renovation was the joint project of World Vision Armenia, Gugarats Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Sverdlov community.
World Vision is providing construction materials to renovate the roof of the church while community members are doing the manual labor. The Gugarats Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church will renovate the interior of the church and provide the community with the services of a priest.
World Vision together with the Armenian Apostolic church is also planning to open Sunday school for children.
“Lori region has very distinct Christian traditions, which the renovation of the church will serve,” said Father Vram.
“The initiative comes from the community itself, where people understand the importance of a religious centre in community life,” says Karine Harutunyan, Church and Government Relations Manager for World Vision Armenia.
The Very Reverent of the Gugarats Diocese Father Vram Ghazaryan, who now provides services in 18 communities of the region, is intending to serve at the renovated Saint George church until a priest is appointed.
Renovations started in September 2006. The village will celebrate the official opening of the church in September 2007.
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