Abbess Nshan Galfaian (1822-1889) is a public figure. She was born in Constantinople in the family of artisan. When she was 12 years old, her mother tried to make her marry, but Nshan opposed. At the age of 18 she put on virgin’s dress, which she did not take off till the end of her life. In 1850 she opened a school-house of embroidery and sewing. She traveled in many European countries and participated in famous exhibitions. In 1865, during the pest of Constantinople she undertook the care of sick orphans. Nshan Galfaian saved the lives of many girls that were 2-10 years old, thus creating the Galfaian orphanage. Here she took care of hundreds of orphan girls, some of these girls got married and others worked as school-teachers[1].
Women and the Transfer of Knowledge in the Black Sea Region
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