Supreme Spiritual Council, Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America and AGBU Hold a Joint Meeting
31.10.2016
On October 31, 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.
The two-day meeting was convened under the theme of: “To take the Church to the nation, and reach the Armenians living in North America”. Issues will be discussed regarding the challenges and realities of life for Armenians residing in America; pastoral service concerns of the Armenian Church in North America. and Church-youth relations.
Following the Lord’s Prayer, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his message to the meeting participants. His Holiness expressed his satisfaction on the occasion of the joint meeting, and conveyed his blessings and appreciation to the Primates of the three Dioceses of North America: His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan; to AGBU President Mr. Berge Setrakian; and to the Supreme Spiritual Council members; Diocesan Council members, and the AGBU Central Committee members.
“The theme of the meeting, “To take the Church to the nation, and reach the Armenians living in North America” specifies a clear path in which we should travel during this joint meeting and consult with each other on the issues and challenges to the national and church life being faced by our nation's children living in North America.
For centuries, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church has been the birthplace of the Armenian soul and the guarantor and defender of the Armenian identity, and she is called to serve our people worldwide; always keep the life-giving words of the Gospel in their national and spiritual life and lead them to salvation. The mission of our Church has always been and remains the same, but the conditions of time and human life are not the same”, said the Catholicos of All Armenians, noting that the 21st century throws new challenges at humanity and creates new circumstances for Armenians worldwide.
His Holiness confirmed that the modern globalized world is increasing in secularization an materialism, and dictates civil societies, often compeling its laws and rules, which are sometimes alien to the traditional Christian understandings and perceptions, and consequently, leads to the decline of moral values and disruption of national identity and family values.
“The issues arrising during the radical and rapid changes of the present time, in fact, create a barrier between our national traditions and manifestations of modern life. Such phenomena are also clearly expressed in the North American society, and the Armenian nation which is an integral part of it, often stands before the discord between facing the challenges and keeping the national traditions. Such realities are not new for our people, as the Armenian due to his historical destiny always had to live in foreign nations and peoplesm far from their homeland, combining national traditions and identity with local culture and traditions.
“Past experience shows that such situations can be resolved”, stated His Holiness and added that it is necessary to adopt the approach of the holy fathers, through prudent and creative methods, translate and reinterpret national and ecclesiastical sacred traditions to be harmonious to the worldview and spiritual needs of modern man.
At the conclusion of the remarks, His Holiness asked for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to in the meeting, so that the discussions would serve for the efficiency of the Armenian Church mission and welfare of the Armenians living in America.
Deacon James Galustyan, Diocesan Council Chairman of the Eastern Diocese, and member of the Supreme Spiritual Council addressed the participants, following which AGBU President Berge Setrakian extended his remarks.
The AGBU President expressed gratitude to His Holiness for attending the meeting together with the three Dioceses of North America, and for the opportunity to discuss issues related to the efficiency of the Armenian Church in the life of the Armenians living in North America.
Noting that since the first day of its foundation, the AGBU has considered the Armenian Church as the most important institution of the national life, Mr. Berge Setrakian gave his assurance that the AGBU will continue to support the Armenian Apostolic Church and its mission in the life of the Armenian nation. “We will consider it secondary if our church doesn’t strengthen, and we will not have a strong homeland and nation if our Church doesn’t strengthen. If we have kept our identity over the centuries, it was only through the service of the Church. We’ll see how we can strengthen the mission of the Church, because strengthening the mission of the Armenian Church strengthens us”, stressed the AGBU President.
During the two-day Assembly reports and studies will be presented on different topics, and discussions will be held with the participation of representatives of the young generation.
