FESTIVE EVENTS DEDICATED TO THE FEAST OF ST. SARKIS, PATRON OF YOUTH AND LOVE

During the last years the feast of St. Sarkis, Patron of youth and love, became very popular. Each year Araratian Patriarchal Diocese organizes festive events, competitions, quizzes and concerts on the occasion of the Feast.
Depending on the Feast of Holy Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ the feast of St. Sarkis may have a 35-day shift. In 2008 the feast will be celebrated on January 21. Keeping to the tradition Araratian Patriarchal Diocese will continue the complex of festive events announcing a number of competitions in advance.

Competition of stories.
1. St. Sarkis, the patron of our love (Real story)
2. St. Sarkis, the patron of our strong family (Real story)
3. St. Sarkis – “Strong family, strong Motherland” (Real story)
Stories should be maximum within the limits of 2 computer pages, written in Armenian language only and in Armenian fonts (12 font size). Handed works will not be returned.
The following monetary prizes will be granted to the authors of the three best stories in each nomination:
• The first prize - 150.000 Armenian Dram
• The second prize - 100.000 Armenian Dram
• The third prize - 50.000 Armenian Dram
The best stories will be published in the biweekly of Araratian Patriarchal Diocese “Shoghakn Araratian.”
4. Competition of paintings – “St. Sarkis, Patron of youth and love.” There are two nominations - “St. Sarkis, the patron of our love” and “St. Sarkis, the patron of our strong family”. Two grand prizes - 150.000 Armenian Dram and 100.000 Armenian Dram correspondingly, are established in each nomination.
5. Competition of photo reports (sessions) – “We created our Armenian family.” Three prizes - 100.000 Armenian Dram, 75.000 Armenian Dram and 50.000 Armenian Dram correspondingly, are established for the three best works.

Stories should be sent to the e-mail address [email protected]. Stories in printed form may be handed also in the Press Center of the Diocesan Headquarters. Authors’ contact telephone numbers should be mentioned.

Paintings and photo reports (sessions) also may be handed in the Press Center of the Diocesan Headquarters located in the address R. Israyelian 21, nearby the Church of St. Sarkis. Telephone number: 58 47 22.

ATTENTION: THE WORKS PRESENTED TO THE COMPETTTION WILL BE RECEIVED ON JANUARY 7-17, 2008.

Festive events will be concluded on the day of the feast, in the large concert hall named after Aram Khachatrian where the following events will be held:
• Exhibition-sales of the 20 best works presented to the paintings’ and photo reports’ (sessions’) competitions in the foyer of the large concert hall named after Aram Khachatrian. Exhibition-sales will start 2 hours before the concert.
• Concert program, during which the names of all nominations’ winners present at the concert will be announced. The winners will be handed the sums and prizes symbolizing the feast.

On January 21 Divine Liturgies will be celebrated in all churches named after St. Sarkis. The churches will be open till 21:00 p.m. The clergy will bless the young people and present them color postcards telling about the feast. Postcards will be distributed in all churches of Yerevan.

People may receive any information concerning the life and activity of St. Sarkis and his soldiers-companions, as well as the competition visiting the official website of Araratian Patriarchal Diocese www.qahana.am.