Joint Meeting Concludes of the Supreme Spiritual Council, Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America and AGBU
03.11.2016
On October 31 and November 1, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the Supreme Spiritual Council; the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America; and the Central Committee of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), held a historical joint meeting at the Eastern Diocese headquarters in New York, NY.
During the two-day meeting, under the theme of: “To take the Church to the nation, and reach the Armenians living in North America”. Issues were discussed regarding the challenges and realities of life for Armenians residing in America and the support provided by the Armenian Church and other national institutions in overcoming them; pastoral service concerns of the Armenian Church in North America and Church-youth relations and the preservation of national identity. They stressed the importance of the need for taking steps to strengthen national feelings and the shaping of the character of a patriotic and church-loving Armenian youth in the conditions of globalization and secularization.
On the first day, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presented a brief account on the activities of the Supreme Spiritual Council.
Mr. Berge Setrakian, AGBU President, spoke on the close relations and cooperation between the AGBU and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. The participants discussed the need for joint efforts, for the benefit of the Armenians in North America and the promotion of their national-spiritual life. The AGBU President expressed their readiness to support the Armenian Church.
Mr. Christopher James Zakyan, Chairman of the Public Relations Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, delivered a speech entitled “The Armenian Church in North America”; which covered the establishment of the first Armenian church in 1891; and the history and development of the Armenian Church in North America. He also spoke about the establishment of Armenians in America in the mid of the 19th century and the seven areas of Armenian immigration. The speaker presented statistical data about the involvement of the faithful of the three dioceses of North America in the national-ecclesiastical life.
Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, Lafayette College History professor, presented a report on the theme “The comparative image of faith and culture: realities in North America”. She presented the study results by Dr. Sara Terian in the Eastern Diocese in 2005. The research, based on interviews with young and older clergy and lay American Armenians, showed the perception of the mission of the Armenian Church. Dr. Goshgarian concluded the report with suggestions to reach the US Armenians and the possible ways of involving them in the church life.
Dr. Joseph Ganimian, Eastern Diocesan Council Chairman, presented a lecture entitled “If I could fix anything, my church hall would be full of visitors ...", about the vision of the future of the Armenian Church mission.
There were also discussions on the themes “Youth and the Church: by their own words” and “The considerations of the spiritual pastors regarding their pastoral life”, which were conducted by Dr. Nicole Vartanian and Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian. Four young laymen and priests from the US Dioceses and the AGBU "Young Professionals" program participated in the discussions, who presented their ideas and suggestions about the Church-youth relations and their future; and the clergy’s pastoral service problems with the youth.
On the second day of the meeting, they focused mainly on the first day discussion materials.
Mrs. Arda Haratunian, held a discussion entitled “Youth: successive steps” and Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian held a discussion on the theme “Clergy: successive steps”. Different viewpoints were presented during the discussions regarding the pastoral service and its problems. It was also noted that in the provision of spiritual care, along with various problems, the current anti-canonical divided situation in the life of the Armenian Church in North America also created some difficulties in the organization of and effective implementation of spiritual service.
As a result of the meeting it was agreed that it is necessary to strengthen the relationship between the Church and youth through various initiatives and programs; be informed on the problems facing the youth, and to take steps to lead them to a better solution. It was decided to take the following steps:
A. To create a working group, composed of representatives of the ACYOs of the three dioceses of North America and the AGBU "Young Professionals" program. Over the next nine months, the working group will discuss issues raised during the meeting and appropriate strategy and will present a report on program development to the Supreme Spiritual Council,
B. With the blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians, to declare 2018 as the Year of Youth, which will culminate in the Homeland with the organization of a youth gathering,
C. To assign spiritual advisers on pastoral mission for a specified period for young clergy, who are called to pastoral service in the dioceses, to share experiences and provide advice,
D. Create a committee to present a program on spiritual advisers of pastoral mission within three months, which will be implemented in the Dioceses of North America.
During the meeting, the Supreme Spiritual Council also discussed various issues related to national-ecclesiastical life. One of the issues was the life in Artsakh and Armenians of Artsakh. They discussed the combination of efforts in support of Artsakh by the Armenian nation worldwide, and the national and religious institutions. Following the discussions, it was decided to create a committee, which will implement a work plan for providing aid to those who suffered during the Karabakh war.
The meeting was concluded with the remarks of His Holiness. The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed satisfaction for the two-day joint activities, stressing that the issues raised will motivate, strengthen and intensify the Church's presence and service in the life of the people, especially the youth. “The activities implemented with the youth are very important. The Armenian Church must do everything to strengthen the Armenian youth; help them find the answers to various questions and overcome the challenges in their life. Young people are our future leaders. It is important that a meeting is held in North America. There is a lot of work ahead, and in our turn, we are ready to support our dioceses, so that they carry out their work in the best way. We are confident that the decisions taken today may lead to the desired results and we will be able to bring our church closer to our people and lead them to Church”, stated His Holiness.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the diocesan councils and clergy of the dioceses, through whose devoted work the spiritual life of the people is active in North America. His Holiness also expressed his appreciation to the members of the AGBU, for the continuous support provided to the Armenian Church and her programs, and the important contributions made during the meeting.
