Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
A FEW PERSPECTIVES
FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
(Dialogue with the youth- Number 7)
2-3 December 2006 were marked in my pontifical ministry with my encounter
and open dialogue with the Armenian youth. This Youth Gathering took place
in Detroit and was organized on the occasion of my short visit to the USA.
I want to express my deep appreciation to His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of Easter Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag
Hagopian, Prelate of Canada and His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate of Western Diocese, for taking this initiative as an
essential part of their pastoral responsibility. My special appreciation is
due to those young adults who came from different parts of North America to
attend the youth event.
The renewal of the Armenian Church was the core of this gathering. In my
dialogue with the youth I touched on a number of issues and identified
challenges pertaining to this pertinent theme. By carefully listening to
them, I became more aware of their expectations as well as of their
unwavering dedication to our Church and its values and traditions.
Upon my return to Antelias, I would like to share succinctly with the
Armenian youth of other communities some of the major perspectives that I
conveyed to the youth in Detroit.
1) The renewal of the Armenian Church is an urgent necessity. In order to
carry on its God-given mission efficiently, our Church is called to keep
pace with the changing conditions of modern societies. Therefore, the
question is not why renewal, but rather how renewal? (In my book, Beyond the
1700th Anniversary (2001), I have already addressed basic issues concerning
the renewal of the Armenian Church). The renewal of our Church will not be
accomplished simply by shortening the liturgy and introducing certain
adjustments within the church structures. This perception must be changed.
Renewal is not easy; it is a long, critical and all-embracing process. The
Church’s total life in its institutional and spiritual, theological and
liturgical dimensions and manifestation must be included in any serious
renewal process.
2) The Armenian Church must become more responsive to the new realities,
concerns and challenges of its specific environment. This is, indeed, a
vital feature of renewal. We are living in a new world. Tremendous changes
are taking place in our immediate milieu. The Church must be neither
indifferent nor reactive. In order to be relevant and reliable, the Church
must respond proactively to the imperatives of changing times and
circumstances, remaining firmly attached to its own identity and vocation.
It is vitally important that in the Church’s response, the global and the
contextual be interwoven in a way that the unity and integrity of the
Armenian Church are preserved intact and solid.
3) Being in dialogue with its environment implies meeting the expectations
and needs of the people and seeking solutions to their problems. The world
today is marked by growing anxieties and despair. People are caught in
turmoil; they are in search of meaning and direction. They are facing in
their daily life ethical, moral and social questions and dilemmas related to
sexual orientation, family, marriage, spiritual life, etc., which require
clear guidance. Our Church cannot remain silent. Globalization has made the
inter-dependence of humanity even more acute and existential. Others’
concerns are our concerns and the other way round. The Armenian Church must
deal with socio-ethical issues with utmost care and sensitivity.
4) The Church must give priority to the promotion of spiritual values. These
values come to us from the Bible and the Apostolic tradition, from our
church fathers, from our liturgy and traditions. Those who say that the
Armenian Church has no spirituality or gives no attention to it are mistaken
and misguided. Every church has its own ways and forms of expressing
spirituality. We must beware of ‘cheap’ and ‘false’ spiritualities that
surround us, often with ‘attractive’ forms and expressions. We must stick to
our own spirituality which is so rich and profound. We must renew our own
spirituality by making it more compatible with new conditions.
5) Christian education must occupy a central place in the renewal of the
Church. By Christian education I do not understand only formal education but
basically Christian formation that must start in the family. By Christian
education I also mean re-Christianization of our people. In a world
dominated by secularism and materialism, the Christian values are often
pushed to the periphery of our life. We have become nominal Christians. Our
Church must take the re-evangelism of its people seriously. Our missionary
outreach must be perceived and practiced essentially as an inreach. True
renewal is re-evangielization and transformation of the community of faith.
6) The reformation of liturgy is an area of particular and immediate
concern. Any attempt to introduce changes in the liturgy – shortening the
text, changing the language, introducing new prayers, editing the texts,
etc. – must be made on the basis of well-established criteria and clear
guidelines. Arbitrary, superficial and one-sided approach to the liturgy may
become counter-productive. The inner unity, integrity and particularity of
the Armenian liturgy must be preserved.
7) Clergy has a crucial part to play in the renewal of the Armenian Church.
In order to renew our Church our clergy must be renewed. We need a clergy
who are well versed in Armenian Church history and theology as well as in
contemporary theology; who have a comprehensive knowledge of the context in
which they are called to exercise their pastoral ministry; who, driven by
ecumenical vision, are engaged in dialogue and collaboration with other
churches; who are courageous enough to take the Gospel to our people in
response to the new challenges of modern societies and in faithfulness to
the values and spiritual and theological heritage of the Armenian Church.
Our Church in the 21st Century needs a clergy for the 21st Century.
8) We must embark on a kind of renewal process which takes our Church beyond
its institutional confines and makes it a dynamic reality in the life of our
people. The Armenian Church must become a missionary church through
Christian education, pastoral work, social service and living spirituality.
This is only an outline of some major issues, concerns and challenges that
must be considered in the renewal of our Church. Renewal must be carried on
carefully and in an organized manner. Holistic and contextual, realistic and
pragmatic approaches, in their coherent interconnectedness, must become the
driving force and the guiding principle of a credible renewal. A committee
representing the Hierarchical Sees of the Armenian Church is already in
formation to lead the renewal process.
The youth are called to play an important role in this respect. With their
perspectives and experiences they can significantly contribute to all
efforts aimed at making the Armenian Church a church for the 21st century.
We must give space to the youth in our Church. They are integral and vital
part of the Church’s life and witness. I have strong confidence in our
youth.
ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA
15 December 2006
Antelias-Lebanon