“Endanik“ youth creative center of Gyumri in cooperation with the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church held works of cleaning of the monuments of Shirak region from May 6 to May 19, in the frame of the program entitled “The silent witnesses of history”. The cleaning works were done in the community Anipemza “St. Karapet” monastery \temple Yereruyk\, in the “St Astvatsastin” church of Akhuryan, Hoghmik, Hovit, Lernut, Jrapi, Megrashat, Tsoghamarg, Sarakap and in the “St. Gregory Illuminator” church of Haykadzor.The considerable part of the monuments has been bowed or semi-destroyed over time. The churches, especially “St. Gregory Illuminator” church of Haykadzor and the temple Yereruyk having history of centuries are the proves of the rich Armenian culture of centuries and present cultural and archeological value.
The pupils of the center, the teenagers of the community and national minorities after the joint pray guided by the pastors of the communities, cleaned the monuments with great enthusiasm, thus doing cherished and divine work. The cairns and clods around the churches were expelled, the chapels and all the surrounding areas were completely cleaned and all these works of cleaning were followed by tree planting. The participants planted the saplings believing, that each tree will beautify the area for many years, symbolizing the eternity of the Armenian. They also hoped, that eventually the destroyed churches will be restored and will serve to their main purpose.
After the works the posters were placed presenting the name and construction period of the church.
The aim of the program was the development of the tender-hearted attitude among teenagers to the national wealth, renovation of the churches of the region, the development of the cooperation between the pupils of the center and the teenagers of the communities and national minorities, commemoration of the victims of the Armenian Genocide by symbolic tree planting.
The realization of the program gave the desired effect, result, the teenagers regardless of their ages and nationality enthusiastically and willingly involved in the works highlighting the necessity of taking care and protection of the national monuments.
The teenagers made and placed posters entitled as follows:
“I REMEMBER AND DEMAND”, “THE SILENT WITNESSES OF HISTORY: 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE”, “STOP CULTURAL VANDALISM”.