Within the framework of initiatives related to the Year of the Armenian Diaspora, a series of official meetings commenced on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, featuring discussions with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The event, titled “From Introspection to Reorganization,” is intended to reinvigorate the organizational structures of the Armenian Prelacy and the Lebanese Armenian community.
The first meeting took place on the evening of Monday, October 23rd, 2023, in Yercho Samuelian-Yerakuyn Hall of the Prelacy of Lebanon. Distinguished attendees included diocesan representatives, members of the Executive Council, the Religious Council, as well as representatives from various councils and committees operating under the Prelacy.
The Prelate of Lebanon His Eminence Arch. Shahe Panossian, in his opening address, extended a warm welcome to His Holiness and underscored the significance of His Holiness’s proclamation designating the past two years as the Year of the Armenian Diaspora. This declaration, conveyed through a pontifical encyclical, called upon Armenians to embark on a reawakening journey, with the primary aim of channeling fresh endeavors towards the revitalization of the Diaspora. His Eminence emphasized that these meetings serve as a platform for addressing critical diaspora-related issues, seeking solutions, and collectively moving forward.
Subsequently, Vicken Avakian, chair of the Diocesan Assembly, delivered an official statement where he accentuated the vital role played by the Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon, particularly throughout the past century. Lebanon has endured numerous political, and socioeconomic challenges, and it is the relentless efforts of the Prelacy that have preserved the Armenian community during these tumultuous times. Avakian emphasized that confronting the current, pressing circumstances requires a pragmatic and investigative approach to the issues at hand.
Thereafter, His Holiness Aram I delivered his pontifical speech. In his address concerning the reorganization of the diaspora, His Holiness invited Armenians to engage in profound introspection by being aware of the global shifts around them. He stressed that the reorganization of the diaspora is far from an ordinary concern; it is a complex undertaking that cannot be executed passively, especially since every Armenian community has unique internal dynamics.
His Holiness stated that, in our dedication to preserve our cherished values, we may have unintentionally overlooked the rapid global changes and developments that have taken place. Hence, he underlined the importance of adopting a realistic perspective in life: “Realism demands that we acknowledge our shortcomings, as this acknowledgment is the first step toward bringing change and correcting errors,” he stated. His Holiness further emphasized that the Armenian Diaspora must confront an undeniable imperative for reform, with the process commencing at the prelacy level within the various Armenian communities.
Following the address, the audience had the opportunity to share their opinions on the subjects presented by His Holiness.
The meeting concluded as His Holiness recited the ‘Bahbanich’ prayer.
