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LONGED-FOR MEETING WITH ARCHBISHOP
Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
28 April 07
On April 23 the primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church Pargev Martirosian met with the representatives of youth
organizations of NKR. Most problems that they discussed were on the
indifference of a major part of the society towards the church. There
were proposals from young people on how to bring the society and
the church closer. One of the proposals was to conduct service in
modern Armenian, not in the ancient Armenian which people do not
understand. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian said in some countries this
innovation produced the contrary of what they had expected. As to the
flourishing sects, the archbishop of Artsakh thinks this phenomenon
has a different cause. Certain religious organizations interpreted
and used the post-Soviet freedom in their own way, which is worrying
especially in Karabakh.
Especially that the small groups are backed by more powerful
organizations, which have a well-designed and prepared
program. However, it does not mean that the Armenian Apostolic Church
makes no efforts to fight sects. "In 1989 there were 28-29 Armenian
churches in the former Soviet Union, now there are over 400," said
Archbishop Pargev adding that efforts are made to expand public
relations, different books are published, radio and TV programs are
broadcast. The Artsakh Diocese also makes efforts. Certainly, there
are problems, namely shortage of money. Besides, there is a shortage
of priests. If each member of a sect is a preacher of their ideas, it
takes 10 years to prepare priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Yet
there are other problems. The core issue of the meeting was the role
of young people in this context. The participants arranged to meet
again in the middle of May with proposals, and involve more people.
NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
28-04-2007
Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
28 April 07
On April 23 the primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church Pargev Martirosian met with the representatives of youth
organizations of NKR. Most problems that they discussed were on the
indifference of a major part of the society towards the church. There
were proposals from young people on how to bring the society and
the church closer. One of the proposals was to conduct service in
modern Armenian, not in the ancient Armenian which people do not
understand. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian said in some countries this
innovation produced the contrary of what they had expected. As to the
flourishing sects, the archbishop of Artsakh thinks this phenomenon
has a different cause. Certain religious organizations interpreted
and used the post-Soviet freedom in their own way, which is worrying
especially in Karabakh.
Especially that the small groups are backed by more powerful
organizations, which have a well-designed and prepared
program. However, it does not mean that the Armenian Apostolic Church
makes no efforts to fight sects. "In 1989 there were 28-29 Armenian
churches in the former Soviet Union, now there are over 400," said
Archbishop Pargev adding that efforts are made to expand public
relations, different books are published, radio and TV programs are
broadcast. The Artsakh Diocese also makes efforts. Certainly, there
are problems, namely shortage of money. Besides, there is a shortage
of priests. If each member of a sect is a preacher of their ideas, it
takes 10 years to prepare priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Yet
there are other problems. The core issue of the meeting was the role
of young people in this context. The participants arranged to meet
again in the middle of May with proposals, and involve more people.
NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
28-04-2007