The concluding conference of the series commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) took place on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. High school students and young, engaged members of community organizations assembled in the Cilicia museum hall for the conference titled “Homeland and Patriotism,ā which was originally scheduled for an earlier date, but faced postponement due to the unfortunate situation in Artsakh.
Generously sponsored by the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the event commenced with opening remarks by Gali Avakian.
The opening session was conducted by Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness expressed joy at being surrounded by young people, emphasizing the vitality youth brings and its significance for the future. Stressing the importance of dialogue between generations, he drew parallels from the life of Jesus Christ, encouraging the incorporation of Gospel principles into our everyday life.
Concerning the session’s subject, His Holiness recognized the necessity of embracing changes while safeguarding our national identity. He stressed that, for Armenians, the lines between homeland and religion are not distinct. In this context, Christianity has historically and continues to play a crucial role in shaping our national identity. His Holiness affirmed the inseparable connection between the Armenian nation, homeland, religion, and the church, denouncing any attempt to divide these elements as unacceptable.
The session concluded with participants addressing questions to His Holiness, covering topics such as the situation in Artsakh, the Western Armenian language, and various challenges in student life.
