Sects continue “soul saving” in Etchmiadzin’s backyard

After today’s Divine Liturgy celebrated by Catholicos Garegin II at Etchmiadzin celebrating the start of the school year, the Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Church stated that the number of evangelical religious sects operating in Armenia was decreasing.

Catholicos Garegin II was responding to a Hetq reporter who asked why such sects were operating in the town of Etchmiadzin itself if, as the Catholicos claimed, the church was taking measures to strengthen the bonds between itself and Armenia’s youth, especially in terms of spiritual instruction. »»»»»

The start of the new school year in Armenia was ushered in today with a special Divine Liturgy at Etchmiadzin celebrated by Catholicos Garegin II. The Catholicos conveyed his blessings on the occasion and noted the historical strong bonds between the Armenian church and school

Present were RoA Minister of education Armen Ashotyan, representatives of the education departments of various Regional Administrations and school principals. Minister Ashotyan and Catholicos Garegin II met with reporters after church services. The Minister noted the important educational role the Armenian Church played during the long centuries when there was no Armenian state and thus no ministry of education. »»»»»

Gayaneh Sayadyan, who heads the Department of Education in Armavir Marz, has stated that the region will be hosting 3,331 new pupils entering the first grade come September. This is an increase of 150 pupils over 2009.

Mrs. Sayadyan stated that preliminary estimates are for 32,409 pupils in the lower grades and for 3,613 pupils in the region’s senior schools.

Police reports summing up crime figures in Aragatzotn Marz don’t paint an encouraging picture. During the first six months of 2010, 235 crimes have been registered as compared with last year.

While serious crimes have dropped by some 25% over last year, the number of medium crimes has risen to 45 this year during the period in question. Last year, the figure was 45. The theft of livestock has also risen and three gangs of rustlers have been brought to justice. The gangs not only operated in Aragatzotn but in neighboring regions as well. »»»»»

Neighbor’s generosity helps single mom with three daughters live “normally”

Sona Sargsyan and her three daughters have been living in a “vagon” (temporary hut on wheels) for the past seven years. They have gotten used to living in such conditions and never dreamt of once owning a house of their own with warm stone walls in the winter rather than cold metal ones. »»»»»

According to official statistic 35 children in Aragatzotn were never born

From the minute of birth, each child in Armenia has the right of citizenship. The birth must be duly registered by Civil Acts Registration Agency. However, in many cases, when it is time for the child to attend school, it turns out that he or she hasn’t been issued a birth certificate. »»»»»

With no rainfall in Armenia last week and none expected in the next five days, the preconditions for a drought exist in certain areas of the country, especially those not supplied with irrigation water.

Zaruhi Petrosyan, who heads the weather forecasting division at the Ministry of Emergency Situations, told Hetq that while predicting a drought was impossible, certain regions of Armenia, especially Tavush and Syunik, could see such a situation given the continued lack of rain. »»»»»

The Armenian government has sent out notices to all Regional Administrations, directing them to cut their staffs by 10%. The directives were sent by Davit Sargsyan, the government’s Chief of Staff.

Hetq received a call from the Aragatzotn Regional Administration, saying that the directive mentioned that ten employees had to be let go, a number more than the 10% figure. The Administration claims that only ten employees should be getting yellow slips. »»»»»

16 schools classified as structurally unstable

The start of the new school year is just one month away, but pupils in 16 schools in Aragatzotn Marz will be returning to classes in substandard conditions. All the schools have been classified as structurally unstable. »»»»»

Hetq Probe Hits Brick Wall with Some Judges

Last year, during a press interview on court reform, Arman Mkrtumyan, President of the Court of Cassation, was asked what steps he would take to ensure that judges follow the letter of the law and not engage in outside commercial enterprise.

“We will dismiss all judges that are engaged in such business. »»»»»