The annual Bible Study Course for women, organized by the Christian Education Department, ended on 17 June 2014. On this occasion His Holiness Aram I attended the closing ceremony and addressed the 150 women who followed the course.
The Catholicos quoted 2 Thessalonians 2: 15 “…. stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or mouth or by letter from us.” He then explained the importance of holding strongly to the traditions, because, he said, “according to the Apostle, traditions embody Christian values and ideals that shape identity.” He then noted that Christian identity is expressed through culture, which is the manifestation of the social behavior of a people. His Holiness concluded with the following message: “Our Armenian values, ideals and identity are shaped by our Christian faith, which the Apostles brought to our country. The Armenian family, the Church and the school are the social units that guard our Armenian identity and, therefore, it is the responsibility of parents to safeguard our Armenian Identity by bringing up their children within these units.”