As part of its ongoing commitment to empowering Armenians worldwide through education, AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC) is supporting the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin’s new ArmEssence educational summer program for diaspora Armenians.

The initiative brings groups of young Armenians together for a transformative program rooted in language, history, and faith. Designed to strengthen ties between Armenian youth and their heritage, ArmEssence offers a unique cultural and spiritual experience through indoor classes, outdoor pilgrimages, church visits, and more.

The educational segment of the program is fully powered by AGBU AVC. Participants learn Eastern Armenian and deepen their knowledge of Armenian history through AGBU AVC’s immersive courses. The classes are held at the Mother See’s educational center in Etchmiadzin and led by AGBU AVC instructors.

“I didn’t know anything about our history,” says Nicolette Blackwell, a participant from Washington, “and I’ve already learned so much. It’s important for me to learn and I’m so glad I took part in this.”

After a mini revision exam at the end of the three-week program, AGBU AVC online instructors Ani Dekirmenchyan (Armenian History) and Mariam Harutyunyan (Armenian Language) were both pleasantly surprised to see how much the participants had learned during the short period.

This summer, the program welcomed 36 participants in two groups from Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Austria, Brazil, the UK, and the US. To help them preserve and continue their Armenian studies after they leave Armenia, AGBU AVC also provides continued access to its online courses for all ArmEssence participants.

Watch Shoghakat TV’s coverage about the program here.