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Cultural Activity 155

the Armenian Synaxary in 1706 in Con-
stantinople, Catholicos Simeon I Yerevantsi
printed Zbosaran Hogewor (Spiritual Walk-
ing) in 1772 in St. Etchmiadzin, and Bishop
Hovsep Argutian Tetrak Aybenakan (an ABC
Reader) in 1781 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Armenian journalism was born in 1794
when Father Harutiun Shemavonian printed
the first Armenian journal, Azdarar, in Mad-
ras, India. In the following centuries, numer-
ous Armenian dailies and periodicals were
founded by members of the clergy. The
Armenian Church established printing pres-
ses in Saint Petersburg, Constantinople, Tif-
lis, Madras, Lvov, Milan, Paris, Rome, New
Julfa, Marseilles, Amsterdam, St. Etchmiad-
zin, Antelias, Jerusalem, Tabriz, and Aleppo,
and wherever organized Armenian commu-
nities existed. During the 16th, 17th, and 18th
Centuries Armenian printing proliferated:
thousands of volumes, mainly of religious
character, were published. These publications
are found in the major Armenian libraries
under the listing of 'ancient books.' The
Church also created funds to support printing
and sponsored the publication of valuable
works. Today, in spite of the enormous
advance in electronic communication and
information, the Armenian Church continues
to give particular attention to printing.
3) A great deal of the Armenian music
originated in the Armenian Church. Most