HIS HOLINESS ARAM I TO HONOR THE WISH OF THE YOUTH,
NAME 2009 “THE YEAR OF THE CHRISTIAN ARMENIAN YOUTH”
08/16/2008
The youth conference organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Youth Department continued the third day of its activities in Bikfaya on August 16 through a series of lectures and group discussions that provided young delegates to exchange their viewpoints on different issues of concern. The conference concluded the same day under the chairmanship of His Holiness Aram I.
After the end of the Morning service, the participants listened to the biblical interpretations of Rev. Fr. Masis Tchobouyian. The delegates then moved to the “Prapion Doumanian” Hall of the Seminary, where they listened to the President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian deliver a very contemporary talk entitled “what are the challenges of the 21st century?”
Pointing to the main challenges facing the Armenian youth in the present world, Dr. Haidostian underlined the difficulty of making choices from the several paths that the current ever-changing world offers the youth. He emphasized that today’s youth first finds it difficult to recognize harmful phenomena due to their multi-faceted nature. This in turn proves an obstacle to passing on to the second stage- choosing the best option amongst the available alternatives. This phenomenon is a symbol of development and progress but can also be considered dangerous, he said.
Dr. Haidostian affirmed that presenting a brief talk about the 21st century is next to impossible, because any such talk can become untimely in this fast-paced world. He talked about the frenzy of information and knowledge traveling in the world, assuring that they can exert an influence on the human mind even indirectly, even when people want to refuse them. Dr. Haidostian noted a fallout in values given the easy attainability of everything desired in social and material life. He also talked about the shake-up of moral principles due to the scientific explanations provided to certain phenomena.
In an attempt to predict future developments, Dr. Haidostian talked about those probable scientific developments, which will create deep conflicts in the future particularly in the Church.
After presenting these issues briefly and with concise examples, the speaker outlined four possible and yet dangerous approaches that can be adopted by the youth: a) avoiding the difficulties and giving in to self-destruction through drugs; b) Remain indifferent and criticize in particular those institutions and people involved in moral education, such as the church and the spiritual class; c) Live in confusion and deception without being able to tell right from wrong; d) Develop a negative identity, rejecting others and their advice, become involved in emotional religion and enjoy those parts of religion that are emotional.
His Holiness Aram I chaired over the final and concluding session of the conference, which became a podium for an honest discussion. The young delegates freely addressed His Holiness with their questions and the latter demonstrated that he truly is the Pontiff of the youth showing utmost patience and care and giving Pontifical advice to the young Armenians born and formed in different countries and different circumstances.
“Our church is the reservoir of spiritual and moral values,” said His Holiness talking about the national character of our Church. “We cannot separate the spiritual from the national,” referring to those periods in Armenian history when after the fall of kingdoms the Church had taken up the task of taking care of cultural, educational and even political issues. He added: “Today, however, our Church and particularly the Catholicosate of Cilicia is trying to reemphasize our church’s religious service.” His Holiness pointed to the activities of the Christian Education and Youth Departments of the Catholicosate, which are primarily involved in educating the new generation.
Finally, His Holiness called on the youth to continue their path, to increase their ranks through the use of Internet and modern technology and to gather around our church. He emphasized that it would not be possible to renew our faith or the church if we stayed away from the church. He underlined the importance of the Armenian youth’s support for the efforts to transform our church into a source for the renewal of faith.
After the Pontiff’s detailed explanations, the proposals presented during the 12 sessions of the conference were read out and adopted by the delegates.
On Saturday evening the young delegates participated in the Feats of Saint Mary held in the Saint Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya. In the next few days the participants will also have the opportunity to tour the touristic and historic sites of Lebanon.
YOUNG ARMENIANS CONTINUE THEIR HEATED DEBATES
AT THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA’S YOUTH CONFERENCE
08/15/2008
The youth conference launched under the auspices of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on August 14 has become a podium for lively discussions on issues concerning the Armenian youth.
On the second day of the conference, Dr. Joe Pirri from the Webster University in Geneva gave a talk on the use of modern technology by the youth. Given that the topics covered by the talk are some of the favorites among the youth, the delegates quickly became engaged in a heated discussion during which Dr. Pirri elaborated on the many questions addressed to him. Underlining both the positive and negative aspects of using technology, Dr. Pirri referred to a large number of websites, which give guidance on the best and most practical ways of using technology.
The question and answer period also gave way to an interesting discussion on the moral face of using the Internet. Dr. Pirri also gave detailed information on the websites dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. The reliability of sources was also discussed in this context, given that facts concerning the Armenian Genocide are often distorted to deny this tragic page of human history.
The next topic, “The Armenian Church and the Armenian Youth” was presented by V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chifdjian, who talked about the expectations the Armenian Church has from its youth as well as the latter’s expectations from the church. Through his questions, Fr. Chifdjian encouraged the young delegates to think about those forces that try to weaken the mission of the church, asserting that the solution to such challenges is the full participation of a well-formed youth in the life of its church. A number of moral and social issues were also discussed, bringing to the fore topics that often fall victims to silence.
On the afternoon of August 15 two round tables were organized, the first addressing “The self-understanding of the Armenian Youth in the face of globalization” and the second on “Faith, values and traditions in relation to scientific developments.” Both round tables stirred an active participation from the representatives of Armenian communities worldwide, echoing the free thoughts and dedication of the Armenian youth to our Church, nation and culture.
The young delegates also participated in the Morning and Evening masses. Rev. Fr. Varant Kortmosian performed the spiritual contemplation session at the end of the Morning Mass.
THE YOUTH CONFERENCE IS LAUNCHED IN BIKFAYYA
“The meaning of the church cannot be explained in its sanctity only, but in the realization of its mission, in which our youth should participate”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
08/14/2008
The youth conference organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Youth Department was officially launched in the Saint Mary Monastery in Bikfaya on August 14. The conference convenes under the theme “The Armenian Youth in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.”
The conference is held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, who also presided over the opening ceremony and addressed the young delegates participating the conference from Armenian communities worldwide. The conference brought together over 100 young Armenians from the Eastern and Western prelacies of North America, Istanbul, Cyprus, Kuwait, the Arab Gulf countries, Tehran and Isfahan, Syria and Lebanon. The prelacies of Greece and Azerbaijan in Iran did not send representatives.
In his opening remarks the director of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Youth Department, Rev. Sahag Yemishian, underlined the unique character of the conference and its promising prospects. He wished that the conference participants would appropriately discuss the ideas and proposals expressed during the sessions with a view to plan new projects that would improve the lives of young Armenians.
The opening ceremony became all the more exciting with the encouraging words of His Holiness Aram I- a hearty Pontifical message spoken to the Armenian youth. The young participants intently listened to the wise words of the Catholicos who, fully aware of present circumstances, inspired them to face all the challenges they encounter.
His Holiness welcomed the young Armenians that had come to Bikfaya from around the world and presented a thorough analysis of the difficulties that the Armenian youth face both at the global and national levels. Referring to the characteristics relevant to a person’s adolescent life, he underlined the importance of Christian formation and a purpose-goal life. His Holiness considered that the Church, as a source of morality, is a compass, a path leading to Christ, an institution that organizes social life based mutual respect of the laws governing society.
“In the life of present-day society, religion has started becoming an existential presence. In the past, particularly in the West, religion was an individual matter. Today, it is a matter of public concern. Inter-faith meetings are held today with utmost seriousness and uninterrupted continuity- a non-existing phenomenon in the past. The youth cannot remain indifferent towards this. However, where is the youth in all this?” wondered His Holiness.
In his message, the Pontiff stressed the importance of participation. “The youth and passivity are opposing concepts. The youth should be present in our collective life. Its role is not marginal; it is important, it is central. Look at today’s world and you will see that those occupying important position are mostly the youth. This is so because it is through your work that our life flourishes and develops. Otherwise, our collective life will become immobile like a swamp. Our church needs your fresh forces and minds,” he said.
In the last part of his speech, the Pontiff spoke about the dangers threatening the life of the youth. “We are becoming witness to mentalities and lifestyles that do not correspond to our traditions and are based on morally different perceptions. The youth is quickly affected by such phenomena. It is true that in the current world we cannot build up walls around ourselves or live in isolation. However, with the guidance of the Church the youth can find its true path, renewing the church in its mission and service. The meaning of the church cannot be explained in its sanctity only, but in the realization of its mission, in which our youth should participate,” His Holiness stressed.
The Pontiff’s message became a guideline for the conference. During the following session, Garo Hovhannessian delivered a presentation entitles: “Where is the Armenian youth in face of the challenges of the 21st century and how does he overcome them?” Hovhannessian stressed the concepts of national identity and the need for an understanding of national belonging among the youth. He made a call for reviewing the concept of “culture” and underlined the importance of preserving the Armenian Language for the preservation of Armenian identity. Referring to the contribution expected from the youth, he said: “In our history we have not had a period when we’ve had so many of our youngsters enrolled in universities. However, we feel the lack of man force everywhere today. Degrees have no meaning if they do not contribute to our highest national interests and to the realization of our primary goals.”
Following the lecture, the participants were divided into workshops to discuss more deeply the issues at hand and prepare brief reports of the ideas and thoughts expressed. The workshops became serious discussions, healthy criticism, fiery debates and attempts to reach the truth through the exchange of viewpoints.
One of the sessions was dedicated to the exchange of information on the experiences of the youth living in different geographic locations and communities. The session was also rich in relevant topics with young Armenians providing information about their respective communities and environments, explaining their concerns and the obstacles they face. The dangers threatening the life of the youth were also discussed with a view to seek preventive measures.
The conference started with the morning service, at the end of which spiritual contemplation was performed by Rev. Magar Ashkarian. After the day-long sessions, the participants attended the Evening Mass in the St. Mary Monastery.
PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE OPENS IN ANTELIAS
08/14/2008
Young Armenians from around the world gathered in the summer headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on Thursday to inaugurate the youth conference organized by the Catholicosate’s youth department.
Held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, the conference convenes under the theme “The Armenian youth in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.” It will feature lectures by the President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, Lecturer at the Webster University in Geneva, Dr. Joe Pirri, historian Garo Hovhannesian and other prominent intellectuals.
A committee responsible for organizing the conference limited the number of participants- young Armenians from communities worldwide- to 110 to ensure the effectiveness of discussions and a result-oriented conference.
The delegates will discuss serious issues affecting the Armenian youth today through a series of lectures and group discussions over the next three days. Community representatives will convene round tables on previously assigned topics, following which small groups will discuss the issues at hand in depth and present summaries of their conclusions.
The conference will be a podium to shed light on the concerns and conflicts that Armenian youth face in present times particularly in the Diaspora. All the proposals made by the conference will be passed on to His Holiness who will take them into consideration while formulating the Catholicosate’s future projects and table them for discussion by National General Assembly to be held in early December this year.