Twelve large-scale canvases depicting the life of Jesus now adorn St. Hacob Church in the village of Vardenis, Aragatsotn Province. Each canvas portrays a distinct episode from the life of Christ. The concept for the paintings originated with Arthur Janibekyan and was brought to fruition through the Renaissance Cultural and Intellectual Foundation.
With the support of the Janibekyan family, the church was renovated and reconsecrated in 2012. Every year, faithful pilgrims from various regions gather to participate in the Divine Liturgy, and this year, to view the newly installed canvases.
Otari Hakobyan, father of Renaissance Foundation founder Arthur Janibekyan, noted that the community development work in the village remains ongoing:
“Not only was the church renovated, but the St. Narek Chapel was built and the road leading to the ‘Seven Wounds’ Chapel was restored. Today, twelve icons depicting the life of Jesus were installed in the church. These canvases are not mere decoration or embellishment. The House of God is itself an ornament for every believer, but these artwork pieces represent another effort to honor Christ and God, demonstrating our devotion to Christianity and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
I extend my gratitude to Hakob Hakobyan, Executive Director of the Renaissance Foundation, for managing these works, as well as to the artist, Mikayel Harutyunyan, and to Arthur Janibekyan and his wife, Elina Janibekyan, who continuously support these initiatives and projects without expecting anything in return.”
Hakob Hakobyan, Director of the Renaissance Foundation, shared that Arthur Janibekyan had proposed the idea for the canvases seven years prior:
“This initiative, along with every project completed in the village, responds to the calling of our ancestors and roots, a reminder to stand firmly on our soil. I hope everyone’s spiritual path leads them through the village of Vardenis at least once. If these initiatives help even a single person grow spiritually closer to God, we consider our mission accomplished.”
The consecration ceremony was led by Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Father Mushe, spiritual pastor of St. Hacob Church, noted that these virtuous works bring both spiritual and visual grace:
“God teaches us that whatever you give will return to you. I express my deepest gratitude to the noble benefactor family of St. Hacob Church, who not only touched us all with these canvases today, but live in a way that grants every Christian an opportunity to commune with God. God speaks to people in many ways, and what we preach through the Gospel, we can now also share through inspiring visual imagery.”
Artist Mikayel Harutyunyan reflected on how the project allowed him to discover Vardenis, its people, and their God-fearing way of life:
“Whenever I visited this village, I saw even young children entering the church to pray. I am thankful to the Renaissance Foundation, Hakob Hakobyan, and Arthur Janibekyan for granting me the opportunity to realize my long-standing dream of creating such a sacred artistic series.”
During the Sunday Divine Liturgy and the consecration ceremony, sacred hymns were performed by the “Saghmosergu” male choir of spiritual music, who also concluded the day’s solemn program. The choir’s artistic director and conductor is Vahe Begoyan.
