On June 27, “Nerses Shnorhali: Angel of Heaven” scientific conference was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, which launched the events dedicated to the 850th death anniversary of Nerses Shnorhali. On the same day, the opening of the exhibition on the same theme was held.

The delegation headed by the RA ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan also participates in the events in memory of the famous Armenian medieval thinker Nerses Shnorhali, included in the UNESCO Calendar of eminent personalities and important events for 2022-2023.

Representatives of Matenadaran, scientific circles of France, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to UNESCO, spiritual fathers of sister churches, ambassadors accredited to UNESCO, invited guests attended the conference under the theme of “Nerses Schnorhali: Angel of Heaven”.

RA ESCS Deputy Minister Arayik Khzmalyan, Head of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to UNESCO Christian Ter Stepanyan, and the representative of the Vatican to UNESCO made welcoming speeches at the conference.

The main speakers of the conference were the famous French Armenologist Jean Pierre Mahe, researcher at the Mesrop Mashtots “Matenadaran” Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Gurgen Gasparyan, Very Rev. Fr. Senior Archimandrite of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Shahe Ananyan.

During the speech, the speakers highly appreciated the creative heritage of Shnorhali and his role in spreading pan-Christian values.

The conference was followed by an exhibition on the same theme, at the opening of which RA ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan delivered a speech. Welcoming those present, Zhanna Andreasyan congratulated on the important and unprecedented cultural event: “Today we have an occasion to once again celebrate one of the most prominent names in the Armenian spiritual history - Saint Nerses Shnorhali. I am sure that precise scientific evaluations and beautiful and profound characteristics were given within the framework of the conference that was launched today, and, nevertheless, it is difficult to determine the role and significance that the great patriarch had in the formation of Armenian theological and aesthetic thought.”

According to the Minister, the exhibition is another opportunity to get acquainted with the heritage of Nerses Shnorhali and realize his role in the history of bibliography and written culture.

“The originals of the samples are stored in the Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran and I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mashtots Matenadaran for providing digital copies of illustrated manuscripts,” stated the Minister, thanking the UNESCO officials for creating such an opportunity.

Head of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to UNESCO Christian Ter Stepanyan and Deputy Director-General of UNESCO Edouard Firmin Matoko also delivered speeches.

The exhibition was presented by the acting Head of the Depository of the Mesrop Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Foundation Davit Ghazaryan.