THE EXPRESSION OF THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE AS THE CARRIER OF THE CHRISTIAN VALUE SYSTEM IN THE "METS MHER" BRANCH OF THE ARMENIAN FOLK EPIC

The Armenian epic embodies the collective consciousness and values of the people, which, transcending space and time, have been distilled to retain only what is true, valuable, and intrinsic to their identity. At the core of these moral principles lies the Christian value system, which has evolved over centuries to form a stable and enduring foundation. This system is prominently reflected throughout the Armenian epic, including its "Mets Mher" branch, illustrating that the Armenian People, as the earliest adopters of Christianity as a state religion, were the primary custodians of these Christian beliefs and values. In the Armenian epic, God is subtly present in all aspects of the Armenian people's lives. Their deep faith is reflected not only in the actions and events involving the heroes and the nation as a whole but also in their speech, behavior, and interpretations of various occurrences. The Armenian epic stands as one of humanity's most brilliant artistic creations, highlighting the essential characteristics of the Armenian people. Their Christian faith is an inseparable part of their worldview and understanding of life. Therefore, to foster national self-awareness in the younger generation, it is important to develop a special program for a deeper and more comprehensive study of the Armenian epic in modern schools.