Deacon Hovhannes Gumruyan: “The school has unique activities that convey a national and spiritual message”

Ahead of the new school year, Hayern Aysor presents the interview of Nor Or with Director of the “Little Angels” Armenian Saturday School, Deacon Hovhannes Gumruyan.

Nor Or: Deacon Hovhannes Gumruyan, please present yourself, your education, work experience and family.

Hovhannes Gumruyan: I was born in Vanadzor (Kirovakan), Armenia to a family of an intellectual. I studied at the Gevorgyan Spiritual Lyceum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and went on to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree from Vanadzor State Pedagogical University. I started pursuing my career as a lecturer at S. Tevosyan State Polytechnic College of Vanadzor. I have worked at the German Center of Vanadzor, the GNP Charitable Foundation and have also lectured at the Armenian Catholic Prelacy of Yerevan.

Since 2010, I have been the director of the “Little Angels” Armenian Saturday School of the Prelacy and teach Armenian language and history at the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. As the deacon of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, I serve the Western Diocese, particularly the St. Hovhannu Karapet Armenian Church of Hollywood. I am married with two wonderful children.

Nor Or: Please present the “Little Angels” Armenian Saturday School of the Saint Ghevondyants Mother Cathedral and the daily activities.

H. G.: The school was established in 2000 and was the sincere idea of the Blikyan family.

In 2010, the school was restructured and continues to operate under the auspices of the St. Ghevondyants Mother Cathedral with the blessing of the benevolent leader of the U.S. Western Diocese, Fr. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

The schedule of activities is unique. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a message addressed to the nation and a religious message and continues with lessons until 12:00. The classes are conducted with the textbooks of general education schools of the Republic of Armenia. The school always holds ceremonies, national and cultural events and meetings and has its own choir.

Nor Or: How are the classes divided? How long are the classes?

H. G.: There are nearly 200 children and teens between the ages of 6 and 14 enrolled in the school.

The Eastern Armenian-language curriculum is taught for six classes and encompasses the teaching of the Armenian alphabet, literature, history, culture and music based on the Common Core State Standards of California.

The school year lasts ten months. It starts in August and ends in May. The classes are distributed according to language proficiency.

Nor Or: Are there graduating classes? Are the certificates ratified by relevant authorities?

H. G.: The students of the graduating class of “Little Angels” Armenian Saturday School are granted certificates that state colleges acknowledge as a certificate of a second foreign language. In addition, we collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.

In 2015, the school was recognized as the Best Armenian Saturday School of the Diaspora and received the grand prize and the first degree diploma during the Pan-Armenian Awards organized by the World Armenian Congress and the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Nor Or: How did you select the teachers? Do you organize trainings or requalification processes?

H. G.: The school has exclusively smart teachers who have relevant education, great work experience and participate in teacher training courses organized by the Prelacy.

Nor Or: When does the school year begin?

H. G.: The new students are admitted between July 15 and August 15. Classes start on August 20. Those wishing to study at our school may apply to the Prelacy.

Nor Or: The lifestyle and mindset of modern society are undergoing major changes. In your opinion, what steps need to be developed in order to keep the new generation connected to Armenian life?

H. G.: For centuries, the Armenian Church has been and still is the guarantor of the Armenian language, identity and faith. All actions aimed at deviating us from this sacred path will lead to assimilation.

Taking the opportunity, I would like to thank you for this pleasant interview. I would also like to thank the staff and readers of Nor Or. I would like for the blessing from Etchmiadzin and the light radiating from Oshakan to guide each and every one of us.

Nor Or: Thank you, Deacon Hovhannes for accepting our invitation. I wish your programs and the “Little Angels” Armenian Saturday School success. The school is located at 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91504.

Interview by

SEVAN TER PETROSYAN

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