On December 18, 2017, events dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Garegin I Hovsepyan, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, a scholar of Armenian studies, manuscript, bibliographer, archeologist, historian, philologist, culturologist, pedagogue, Doctor of Philosophy and Theology /1897, Leipzig/, scientific member of the Scientific Institute of Armenia / Vagharshapat, 1921/, a full member of the Caucasus Department of the Imperial Archaeological Society of Moscow and full member of the Imperial Archaeological Society of St. Petersburg / 1902 /, took place with the direct participation of the National Archives of Armenia presenting an exhibition of archival documents entitled “Garegin Hovsepyan’s Life and Activities”, photographs and personal belongings.

Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Artsakh, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, Government members of the Republic of Artsakh, and other high-ranking guests were present at the opening of the exhibition. Sergey Shahverdyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth Affairs, and Tourism of the Republic of Artsakh, Amatuni Virabyan, the Director of the National Archives of Armenia, Father Asoghik Karapetyan, the Director of the Archives, Manuscript and Museums of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Father Petros Vardapet Manuelyan, the representative of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and Melanya Balayan, Director of the Artsakh State Museum of History and Geography made a solemn opening speech. Afterward, the guests and visitors got acquainted with the materials presented at the exhibition with great interest, following the speech of Mr. A. Virabyan, the director of the National Archives of Armenia.

The event continued at the Charles Aznavour Cultural Center in Stepanakert, where the presentation of a two-volume book on Garegin Hovsepyan’s life and activities, a screening of a documentary film, and a scientific conference took place. The speakers of the day referred to Garegin Hovsepyan’s character and spiritual and intellectual heritage. Garegin Hovsepyan’s image of a great Armenian was honored and introduced to the guests: born in Artsakh, granted the title of a clergyman in Etchmiadzin, received his higher education in Germany, and dedicated his whole life to the Armenian faith and education, culture, and homeland. His life became a living testimony and supreme gift through prayer and service, written work and speech, for the salvation of the truth of the Gospel, the mission of the Armenian Church, the flourishing of Armenian culture, the endurance of Armenia, and the eternity of the Armenian people.