The Bible Society in the Gulf is pleased to announce the arrival of an engaging new book – Manga Messiah available for the first time in Armenian!

‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it .’ (Proverbs 22:6).

Bishop Shahe Panossian, Catholicosal Vicar of the Armenian Diocese of Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf receieving the copy of the newly printed MANGA Armenian book from Hrayr Jebejian, the General Secretary of the BS Gulf
The Bible Society in the Gulf is extraordinarily excited to announce the arrival of Manga Messiah in Armenian. Manga is the Japanese word for comics. It has become a huge hit around the globe and has been translated into more than twenty languages. Armenian is the latest addition to a long list of languages that includes Danish, German, Russian, Norwegian, English, Spanish, French and many more.
Manga Messiah is a faithful account of the life of Jesus based on the four gospels of the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The 288 pages are all in color. It includes a map of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. The book also features illustrated character profiles of the twelve apostles and other key people in the Bible. The Bible Society in the Gulf is especially proud to publish
  • the most popular comics
  • the fastest growing genre in the publishing world
  • the highly engaging, cutting-edge art style
  • and the most appealing rendition of the Gospel accounts to kids
in 2011, the Year of the Armenian Child, as proclaimed by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Committed to serve the different denominations with their Scripture needs, the Bible Society in the Gulf collaborated with the Armenian Apostolic Church in Kuwait and the UAE to translate, print and distribute Manga Messiah to Armenian children not only in Kuwait and the UAE but also in other diaspora communities around the world.

On the occasion of the groundbreaking release of the Armenian version of Manga Messiah, Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf, said, “I am extremely happy that after many months of hard work and intensive planning together with the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Gulf, we were finally able to procure the necessary funds for the translation, printing, and distribution of Manga Messiah. I am glad to announce that the books will be distributed to all free of charge. Hence, I would like to thank the sponsors who made this possible. I would also like to thank the director of Next, Mr. Roald Lidal, who made the Armenian version of Manga Messiah a reality. Our purpose is to reach out to young people in an ever-changing culture and challenging times with the message of the Gospel in an attractive, compelling format.”

The Bible: The Essence of Tarkmantchatz

October is designated as Cultural Month in the Armenian calendar to celebrate the invention and impact of the Armenian alphabet by Saint Mesrob Mashdots. The Armenians read his name in the Canon of the Mass and celebrate his memory on February 19. The invention of the alphabet in 406AD proved a powerful factor in the building and preserving of the national spirit, strengthening the Armenian Church and ultimately the bond among all Armenians.
The first monument of the invention of the alphabet was the translation of the Bible from the original Greek into Armenian which was completed about 434. Many of the modern linguists consider the translation of the Bible into Armenian an almost perfect match and have coined it the "Queen of Translations".
The first verse that St. Mesrob translated was the opening line from Solomon’s Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament: “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding”.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia declared the year 2009 as the Year of the Youth. In line with the Cultural Month and the 2009 Year of the Youth, Mr. Hrayr and Dr. Arda Jebejian initiated the gift/donation of 100 Children and Youth Bibles to the Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus to be distributed to the Nareg schools in Cyprus and to the Sunday School in Nicosia run by the Prelacy. The two editions of the Bible stories are adapted into a simple language and enriched with drawings to make them accessible and attractive to children and youth. The Bibles were officially handed to His Eminence, Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Catholicosal Vicar in Cyprus.
On Monday, October 12, 2009, Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, accompanied by Father Momik Habeshian, the parish priest of Sourp Asdvatsatsin in Nicosia, presented the Children’s Bible to one of the elementary classes in Nareg, Nicosia. Through a brief, interactive time with the students, Mr. Jebejian highlighted the
significance of Tarkmanchats and then explained how the Children’s Bible was written, designed, and printed in such a way that it made God’s Word easily accessible and attractive to the young generation. As the Children’s Bible comprises of 365 stories, Mr. Jebejian encouraged the young children to read a
story a day and complete the reading of the whole Book in one year.
The Children and the Youth Bibles are both produced by the Bible Society in Lebanon in collaboration with the Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon. The Bible Societies are international Christian publishing organizations that have 145 offices worldwide and operate in more than 200 countries. The Bible Societies are interconfessional organizations that work with all the different churches and denominations, including the Armenian churches.
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian is the General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Arabian Gulf (BSG). Currently, the management office of the BSG is based in Nicosia, Cyprus. Dr. Arda Jebejian is a linguist and the author of 19 books. Currently, she lectures at the School of Humanities, Law and Social Sciences in the University of
Nicosia. Dr. Jebejian is the author of the Armenian Children’s Bible.

Pedro Eustache Live at Bible Society's Concert

On Saturday, 13 December, at 8:00pm, the Armenian Evangelical Church elders and youth were present at UNESCO Palace Beirut to see Pedro Eustach perform live and listen to the many kinds of instruments that he had specially brought with him for Bible Society's annual concert.
Pedro Eustache (Woodwind soloist of “The Passion of the Christ”: featured flute, saxophone and woodwind soloist with Yanni) not only took us to the many different countries with his instruments (specially with his duduk), but he also took us through his faith journey with God, and his passion to worship God and praise Him in his very difficult circumstances and joy.
He was very dynamic on stage and a man full of energy and passion.
We will always remember this event, thanks to Bible Society.




Right pic: Ms. Ani Baboghlanian (on the left).


Left pic: Mr. Manoug Ibitian (half showing), Mr. Raffi Chilingirian, Mr. Ara Torkomian, Ms. Houry Barsoumian, Ms. Noushig Barsoumian, Ms. Liza Barsoumian
Right pic: Mrs. Vera Svajian, Areni Svajian, Rev. Hovannes Svajian


Left pic: Ms. Shake Geocherian, Ms. Jimmy Kozman-Ohanian, Mr. Serop Ohanian
Right pic: Mr. Sam Svajian, Mr. Sevag Svajian


Left pic: Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian
Right pic: Talar Haidostian, Ms. Palig Kilaghbian, Ms. Haidostian, Mr. Shahan Kilaghbian, Mr. Shant Aynilian

News from the Gulf‏: Story of Ananda Rao

The ministry among the migrant workers in the Gulf is one of the main challenges for the Bible Society. The attached story illustrates why it is so.


* We received this news from Mr. Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary- The Bible Society in the Gulf

Musical عرس السما‏

Warm greetings. As many of you know, the Bible Society has been partnering with Voice of Charity radio for the past two years to broadcast daily Bible readings and Bible stories. In that respect, the Bible Society has decided to support Voice of Charity radio by booking one evening of their musical عرس السما exclusively on February 28, 2008.

We are seeking to sell 800 tickets at the regular price (LBP 30,000 / LBP 20,000 / LBP 15,000 / LBP 10,000). By purchasing these tickets, you will be supporting both Voice of Charity and Bible Society equally. Tickets can be found in all our centers and with our staff and volunteers.

Please contact us so that we can send you the desired number of tickets.

Thank you for your support.

The Minister and the Bible

Kuwait, January 2008: The seminar “What the Bible says to the Minister” was recently held in Kuwait in line with the BSG Arabic Program. More than 100 clergy and lay church leaders from the different Arabic speaking congregations in Kuwait attended the seminar. It created an opportunity for the participants to experience the strong “footing” the Bible has in the life and ministry of the church leadership. In his introductory word, Father Yousef Fakhry of the Maronite Church in Kuwait highlighted the word “Minister” within the Biblical text and interpretation. Mr. Yousef Sabry, the Bible Society Arabic program coordinator, delivered two lectures: The understanding of Ministry from the Biblical perspective and The Life of the Minister.
Yousef defined the concepts of calling, purpose in mission, handling resources, the Great Commission, and the implication of the Message, including handling false teachings and interpretations. The seminar dealt with the relations and association of the Church leader to Christ, the Scripture and his/her prayer life.
Sylvia, who attended the seminar on behalf of the Armenian Orthodox church, said, “It was a very effective seminar. Its target was to equip the lay and clergy leadership to serve the church constituencies better. And I think it achieved these goals wonderfully”. Imad, a lay leader in the Catholic Church, said that the timing of the seminar was very good: “As church leadership, we were looking for and exploring new avenues in our ministries. The seminar helped us to be creative and look for new opportunities.”
Virginia, who was recently appointed on the leadership team of the Arabic Evangelical Church, found the seminar very effective: “I realized how important the role of the minister is in his/her church,” she said. Virginia thanked the Bible Society in the Gulf for conducting educational courses and training for enhancement of the church ministry.

We received this news from
Mr. Hrayr Jebejian,
General Secretary - The Bible Society in the Gulf

The Bible Society Arabic Program expands its ministry to the children in the Gulf

November 2007, Kuwait: The Bible Society’s Arabic Program, and in line with its strategy to support the ministry of the Arabic speaking congregations in the Gulf , organized a special program for children from October 31 to November 11, 2007, in Kuwait. The Just for Kids team had a number of performances in Kuwait in the different churches, and in particular, to the Arabic congregations. The theme of the performance was “COLOURS”. It told the story of two families (each one in different
colors) who were living in peace and harmony with each other. Satan suddenly appears and distracts the unity and love among them. The families eventually unite back through the impact of the Scriptures. This special event was in preparation for the campaign that the Bible Societies will be launching in 2008 entitled “Peace amidst violence”. Around 1500 children from the Coptic, Catholic and Evangelical churches attended the performances. Assad, a Sunday School teacher in the Coptic Church said, “The Message of Peace and Reconciliation was received well by the children. It was a very creative performance that managed to pass the Biblical explanation of Love and Peace so well.” Assad concluded by thanking the Bible Society in the Gulf that helps the Christian churches in the region to engage in various ways with the Scripture message.
A mother, who attended the performances along with her two children in the Coptic Church, said,” It was a wanderful presentation. The church today needs this kind of activities to pass the Scripture Message to the young generation.” A special training seminar and workshops were also organized during the same period targeting Sunday school teachers. More than 50 teachers attended the seminar that covered topics like:
creative thinking and related skills, brainstorming and the dynamic teacher.

* We received this news from Hray Jebejian, General Secretary- The Bible Society in the Gulf.