The "Shoghakat" Television Company
Those attending important religious observances and official functions at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will typically notice the presence of television cameras and reporters and participants are often asked to be interviewed. This is the omni-present Shoghakat Television Company.
The end of the Soviet Union brought many challenges to the newly formed Republic of Armenia. The great seventy year vacuum in the area of religious education needed to be filled. The Armenian Apostolic Church had to utilize every possible means to spread the message of the Christian faith within the tradition of the Armenian Church. Thus it was in 1995 that Archbishop Karekin Nersissian, vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, with the financial backing of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, founded the Shoghakat Television Studio.
When Archbishop Nersissian was elected as Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in 1999 the Shoghakat studio was moved from Yerevan to the Old Seminary Building at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and was connected to the Department of Information Services.
Bishop Karekin appropriately chose the name "Shoghakat" as the word refers to the vision of St. Gregory the Illuminator in which Christ appeared and indicated to him where the Mother Church of the Armenian nation should be built. Shoghakat signifies the spreading of the light of faith and knowledge, which is precisely the studio’s objective.
In 2002 Shoghakat gained the right to broadcast on 35 decimetric frequency and became officially accepted by the Republic of Armenia’s National Commission of TV and Radio. Since being granted the right to broadcast it has built a loyal following of over one million viewers, consisting mostly of intellectuals and church faithful. Prior to 2002 Shoghakat produced programming was broadcast by other TV stations.
The mission of Shoghakat TV as expressed in its website (www.shoghakat.am) is to "illustrate the activities of the dioceses, promote the preaching of the Armenian Apostolic Church, production of spiritual and cultural programs and films." In addition, Shoghakat TV "produces and screens universal films about civilization, history, religion, nature, celebrities, global spiritual-cultural values, as well as coverage of public, economic, cultural, national-ecclesiastical events." Shoghakat viewers also are treated to concerts and films produced locally and internationally.
The most significant milestone in the story of Shoghakat TV came about during the time of the blessing of the Holy Muron in the fall of 2008, namely the opening of its own studio building. Thanks to the extreme generosity of national benefactors, Mr. & Mrs. Vatche and Tamar Manoukian of the United Kingdom, the former Cultural House located in the Third Section of Yerevan was totally renovated from top to bottom and significantly enhanced with modern high-tech television studios, sound-proof production rooms and marble flooring. The company is proud of its state of the art optic network by which all of the computers are connected to the main broadcasting room, thus greatly facilitating program production and broadcasting. It should be noted that the Shoghakat studio is one of only a few buildings in Armenia which has central air-conditioning and climate control. Shoghakat can rightly and proudly boast that it has the top television studio facility in Armenia today.
Since its inception Shoghakat TV has been most ably run by its executive director, Mania Ghazaryan, who in turn oversees a staff of about 80 full and part time employees. In the on-going operation of the station, Ms. Ghazaryan is often in consultation with the "Creative Group." This council, made up of nine clergy and well informed lay people, is responsible for reviewing all programming and for presenting the annual report and budget to the Catholicos of All Armenians for his approval. Ms. Ghazarian is extremely pleased with the support received from the Mother See and the input given by many of the clergy. Nevertheless, her wish is to see a priest appointed to serve as a full time consultant to the station and to assist in the production of religious programs and documentaries. The most influential individual serving on the board is the Reverend Father Vahram Melikian, director of the Mother See’s Information Services and spiritual overseer of Shoghakat TV. He is often called upon to speak on behalf of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
While Shoghakat TV Company receives limited income from advertising, the bulk of its financial support comes directly from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Shoghakat encourages individuals, local and diasporan, to assist in this mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The best way for people to help is by making monetary donations to Shoghakat TV, which may be done by donating directly to the Mother See or via the Friends of Holy Etchmiadzin, Inc. Other ways to support the mission is through the donation of classical music DVD’s. Also, Armenian Church dioceses throughout the world are encouraged to submit news items of interest and news clips for broadcast via Shoghakat.
Ms. Ghazarian shared some future plans, which include the renovation of the facility’s large auditorium space in order to host and broadcast youth educational competitions. Also Shoghakat is actively pursuing plans to broadcast internationally via satellite TV. It is anticipated that both projects will be financially backed by the Manoukian’s of London. With the move to satellite, Shoghakat TV will increase from its current daily eighteen hour to around the clock broadcasting.
Shoghakat TV is appreciative to the Republic Broadcasting Network, which airs Shoghakat one hour each day throughout the world. Shoghakat TV provides ongoing coverage of events at Holy Etchmiadzin and significant happenings throughout the dioceses in Armenia. Cameras travel with the Catholicos of All Armenians during his pastoral trips in Armenia and Diaspora. Thus Shoghakat is constantly developing a valuable archive on the modern Armenian Church. At the same time Shoghakat has a considerable collection of historical films and videos. The goal is to eventually digitalize all of the holdings.
Programming in general and program content are carefully monitored by the Mother See and the Shoghakat’s creative group. The station is committed to maintaining ethical Christian norms in all its broadcasts. Shoghakat presents a wide range of subjects, which appeal to every age group. Approximately 30% is religious programming, 20% educational, and 50% culture and entertainment. There are on-going presentations on the Bible (how to read the Bible) as well as the calendar-feasts, sacraments, rituals, hierarchy, holy places, and teachings of the Armenian Church. Among the more popular programs is the "Ask a Priest" series. There are educational programs which offer instruction in the English and French languages.
Shoghakat prepares and forwards reports on important feast days and significant church news to Armenia’s other major stations for broadcasting. It should be further noted that programs and films produced by Shoghakat TV may be attained by other TV Companies within Armenia, as well as by the dioceses functioning in Armenian communities of Diaspora.
Another of the more well received programs is "Third Millenium." This program focuses on current events and questions in the world. The format consists of a panel discussion made up of knowledgeable clergy and laymen. Other programs have focused on benefactors of the Mother See, which has the effect of encouraging others to act generously. The late Sarkis Gabriellian of New Jersey established an endowment, which underwrites an ongoing series on the Bible for children and Louise Simone Manoogian of New York has funded films on seminarians, which serves to encourage others who sense a religious call to enter seminary.
In 1999 and 2002 Shoghakat sponsored religious film festivals for local film makers and films in the area of religion were recognized and awarded accordingly. Shoghakat TV’s productions have in turn been acknowledged for their excellence by local and international organizations.
Thus the Shoghakat Television Station represents how the Armenian Apostolic Church of today is utilizing the most modern means of communication to spread its message by providing quality programming for the faithful and public at large. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and her benefactors are providing an invaluable service to the public by Shoghakat’s outstanding programming in the areas of the Apostolic faith, culture and education.
Father Simeon Odabashian
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
