The second meeting in a series of three, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, with members of the Lebanese Armenian Community, who actively participate in various church and community bodies and organizations, occurred on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023. In attendance were clergy members, representatives from local parish committees, Sunday schools, church choirs, women’s auxiliaries, and other church-affiliated committees.
The event, titled “From Introspection to Reorganization,” is intended to reinvigorate the organizational structures of the Armenian Prelacy and the Lebanese Armenian community.
The Prelate of Lebanon, His Eminence Archbishop Shahe Panossian, delivered remarks. He emphasized the church’s role in addressing the imperative of reorganizing the Armenian diaspora and noted that throughout centuries, the church has not only fulfilled its religious mission but has also been the steadfast guardian of our national values. He underlined that the church has served as the most secure guarantor of Armenian life and remains the cornerstone of our national identity. Arch. Shahe emphasized that the Armenian church has remained unwavering in its mission, and it is necessary to enhance the vitality of the church and our spiritual life.
Subsequently, the Diocesan Religious Council chair, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Sarkisian, addressed his remarks. He noted that since 2003, His Holiness has dedicated each year to addressing pressing issues affecting Armenians worldwide. In the past two years, when the focus has been on the reorganization of the diaspora, Aram I has also stressed the urgency of revitalizing the prelacies and their associated bodies.
Next, Deacon Smpad Ghazelian addressed the audience on behalf of the local parish committees. He emphasized the imperative need for Armenians to preserve their Armenian identity. To achieve this goal, he stressed the importance of conducting a thorough academic study that delves into multiple dimensions of the Armenian individual. He underscored that
each member of the community bears an equal responsibility for national preservation and pointed out that the challenges become increasingly pressing in the aftermath of the Artsakh issue.
After that, His Holiness delivered his pontifical address. Extending warm greetings and pontifical blessings to the audience, His Holiness reiterated that the ultimate goal of a clergyman, regardless of his duties and ranks, is to serve. While the forms and methods of serving God and the nation may change, the quality of service is paramount. The essence of their service lies in tending to the needs and easing the suffering of the people, he said and reaffirmed the church’s unwavering commitment to service through the diligent efforts of its clergy.
Talking about introspection and reorganization, His Holiness emphasized that all the diaspora communities urgently need reorganization, especially in the rapidly changing world, and he urged the audience to do a thorough inspection and plan accordingly. The Survivors of the Armenian Genocide arriving in Lebanon and Syria prioritized organizing the community and for it, they started by building churches, because for Armenians, the church is not merely an organization but the cornerstone and foundation of the community, he stated.
His Holiness then talked about the perception of a parish in both historical and contemporary contexts. He clarified that due to demographic shifts, the previous framework of the parish church is no longer applicable. As a result, the church and all its affiliated organizations must develop an appropriate strategy to align with the current reality. He emphasized that every organization affiliated with the church has a unique responsibility to guide the people to the church, this includes clergy, councils, Sunday schools, church choirs, and women’s auxiliaries. They should understand their responsibilities and approach their roles with a sense of harmonious cooperation, which will contribute to the church’s greater enlightenment.
The meeting concluded with the “Bahbanich” prayer led by His Holiness.
