A festive program was held on the occasion of the 195th anniversary since the founding of “Surp Kevork” Armenian Church in Plovdiv with the support of the Plovdiv municipality.

“Plovdiv is an example of tolerance and understanding between all ethnicities and religions. It is important to preserve this mutual respect and to continue to be a benchmark for a multicultural city” – said the Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov, who was a guest of the celebration, during his meeting with the His Grace Bishop Datev Hagopian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Romania, and Locum Tenens in the Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria, and the chairperson and representatives of the Church parish council, as well as representatives of Armenian organizations in the city and municipality representative.

The festive program was held at the Armenian Cultural Hall in Plovdiv
His Grace Bishop Datev Hagopian, blessed the event and started the program with a prayer and greeting the guests gathered at the event, amongst whom Representatives of the Armenian Embassy in Bulgaria. Hripsime Erniasyan, editor-in-chief of the “AGBU Voice” newspaper had prepared a short but detailed key history of the church over the years which she delivered to the guests. Ardash Erniasyan from AGBU Plovdiv Vocal Band Erebuni mastered the sound and stage design.

The dance groups “Astghigner” and “Yerazank” (with choreographer Anjela Veziryan-Natcheva) danced for the guests; and vocal group “Zartonk” with vocal coach Lamara Zadoyan presented a debut of new repertoire as well. The groups worthily earned the continuous applause by the audience with their wonderful performances.

His Grace Bishop Datev Hagopian presented a gift – a painting of the Armenian Cathedral Church “Holy Mother of God” in the capital of Artsakh – Stepanakert with a request to Fr. Hratch Muradyan, pastor of the Armenians in Plovdiv, to place it in a prominent place in the church complex.
After the program concluded, the children gathered at the church yard to decorate the Christmas tree at the initiative of the “Arax” Foundation – Plovdiv, the chairman of which donated a traditional annual academic scholarship to a deserving seventh grader of Armenian origin in Plovdiv.
In honor of the holiday, the Church received a very significant gift from Holy See of Etchmiadzin – namely the Relics of St. Stephen the First Martyr of Christianity.