An event titled “Mkhitar the Abbot and the Mkhitarian Congregation” was held at the National Library of Armenia. It was organized jointly by the Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex, the Tigran Hayrapetyan Library, and the Mkhitarian Centre of Armenia. The event commemorated the 350th anniversary of Mkhitar Sebastatsi’s birth and the 325th anniversary of the founding of the Venetian Mkhitarian Congregation. The attendees were welcomed by Balasan Harutyunyan, Head of the Museum of Printing at the National Library of Armenia, who spoke about Mkhitar Sebastatsi’s contributions and emphasized the important role of the Mkhitarian Congregation in the development of Armenian culture, education, and printing. A speech was also delivered by Ashot Bleyan, Founder and Director of the Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex, who discussed the significance of the educational complex bearing Mkhitar Sebastatsi’s name and highlighted the major mission undertaken by the institution. He also addressed the work carried out to promote Sebastatsi’s legacy and presented the programs planned for the anniversary year.

During the event, Hayr Gevorg Sargsyan, Inspector of the Mkhitarian Seminary of Yerevan, also delivered a speech, discussing the spiritual and cultural legacy of Mkhitar Sebastatsi and the significant activities of the Mkhitarian Congregation. Students of the educational complex presented the report “In the Footsteps of Mkhitar Abbah” (coordinator: Vardan Karapetyan, Social Sciences Supervisor). Student Gagik Mesropyan delivered a report dedicated to Father Gevond Alishan’s work “Sisakan” and its connection to the Mkhitarian Congregation (advisor: Ashot Tigranyan). In the artistic segment, the “Sebastatsian” Youth Choir (supervisor: Suzy Margaryan) performed the spiritual pieces “Aghachem ezkez” and “Goveal dasuts”.

Within the framework of the event, a thematic exhibition was also organized in the Tamanyan Small Exhibition Hall of the National Library of Armenia. Five separate display cases featured publications dedicated to the anniversaries of the Mkhitarian Congregation, books published by the congregation, the works of Mkhitar Sebastatsi, and studies about him, including books, newspapers, and journals. The event provided another opportunity to highlight the exceptional role of Mkhitar Sebastatsi and the Mkhitarian Congregation in the history of Armenian culture, education, and printing.