May 15^th was a day of celebration at the Armenian National Home in Sofia. On the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the Saint Mary Church and the Armenian National Home of the Prelacy, the coordinating council of Sofia organized a meeting/exhibition that gathered the graduates of the Stepanos Hovakimyan Armenian School, which is named after the first leader of the Armenian Diocese Archbishop Stepanos. The graduates were from Sofia and other parts of the country, as reported the press divan of the Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria to Hayern Aysor. 

Among the attendees were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Bulgaria Armen Sargsyan, his wife and employees of the Armenian embassy, Primate of the Diocese, Archimandrite Isahak Poghosyan, spiritual pastor of Sofia, Priest Gusan Hatavyan, former and current members of the church council and public figures.

The exhibition began with the Lord’s Prayer and the welcoming remarks and congratulatory message of His Holiness, who congratulated everyone on the Coming of the Holy Spirit and International Day of Families, expressing gratitude to the gathered and the organizers and attaching importance to the significance of the Church, the Armenian National Home, family and having a history.

Among the speakers at the event were several graduates, including Dr. Hripsime Pachajyan. The speakers shared their memories of and thoughts about the church, the school and social life in Bulgaria. Ambassador Armen Sargsyan also gave a speech in which he attached importance to the revitalization of the life of Armenians of Sofia and the involvement of children and youth in community life.

 The exhibition showcased church items and accessories, as well as books and newspapers (Armenia, Meghu, Paros, Razmik, Balkan Press, Yerevan, Zang newspapers) spanning decades, certificates of honor, pictures presenting the Armenian national and spiritual life in Bulgaria over the past 80 years (theater company, choir, dance group), the visits of notable Armenians to the Armenian National Home in Sofia (Catholicos Vazgen I, Catholicos Karekin I, Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarchs) and pictures of William Saroyan, Vahram Papazyan, Hrachya Nersisyan, Armen Jigarkhanyan, Gohar Gasparyan, King Simeon II and many other brilliant individuals.

The meeting was quite beautiful and touching and included performances.