Window Quarterly
Vol. 2, No. 2, 1991
Copyright 1991

[Permission is granted to use, print, reproduce this article 
provided the following acknowledgment is given:  From 
Window Quarterly 2, 2 (1991);  ACRAG c. 1991. 

***

RELIGIOUS AWAKENING IN ARMENIA

by Fr. Abraham Mgrdtchian

Presented at the International Clergy Conference
June 18, 1991 P New York

[Translated from Armenian]]


The issues that I will be presenting today are familiar to most 
of you in one way or another.  My intention in presenting this 
talk is to give you, the clergy of the Diaspora, an overview of 
the religious, ecclesial and religio-cultural awakening in 
Armenia.  Moreover, I will outline the development of the 
national awakening and how we should unite our efforts in 
finding new ways of operating in light of the present reality.
	
The Kharabagh Movement, the Earthquake and 
subsequently, the Independence Movement, in the last few 
years, have fundamentally affected and changed the internal 
political posture, as well as, the internal administrative and 
economic system and the national ideology of the Armenian 
people.  This, indeed,  has created a new process of national 
self-examination and self-assertion.  This new self-
understanding has given rise to self-criticism, a search for 
new ways of conducting business and finally, a determination 
to be independent.  Naturally, for a nation who has chosen 
such a road for independence, the reevaluation of spiritual 
values--and creation of new ones--is very significant.  It was 
at the starting point of reevaluation and self-assertion that the 
Armenian nation--with the eyes of her soul and call of her 
blood-- clinched to her Mother Church, to the true faith of 
her ancestors.  It is this reality in our homeland that today we 
are calling the spiritual awakening of Armenia.  However, 
the responsibility to give shape and content to this 
awakening, together with its present and future direction, has 
fallen on the shoulders of the Armenian clergy.
	
The seventy years of communist rule has devastated the 
fundamental foundations of our national, spiritual, religious 
and cultural life.  The Armenian nation, which had preserved 
its existence through her church and culture, started to be 
foreign to its own holy convictions.  The "white genocide" 
that was described by Paruyr Sevag continued until 1988.  
But in 1988 the unexpected happened, as if the Armenian 
nation instinctively realized and saw her frenetic situation.  
The Opera Square [in Yerevan] became the theater where the 
Armenian nation was remolded and it received a new quality.  
And the expression of this new quality and perception was 
the declaration of independence last August.  The newly 
formed national government turned its attention toward the 
national church.  Today a close cooperation has been created 
between church and government. It has become natural to 
see the President of the republic or other government 
officials, during major holidays, at the Mother Cathedral of 
Holy Etchmiadzin.  Complete freedom has been given to the 
Armenian church.  Today, in Armenia, we can not only 
reopen monasteries and churches, but we are allowed to 
build new ones.  Soon the government will ratify legislation 
concerning freedom of conscience in which the Church has 
played an important role.  However, we should bear in mind 
that the republic is following democratic principles and as 
such, it is not possible legally to put pressure on other 
religious movements.  This compels us to be alert and 
laborious.  Unfortunately, many of the clergy in Armenia see 
themselves as ritual performers.  Such concepts have no 
place in the Church today.  On the contrary, we should 
expand religious, pastoral, literary, cultural and educational 
activities.
	
It is for these reasons, that in August of last year [1990], 
through the arrangements of His Holiness [Vazken I] a 
Center for Propagation of Faith (CPF) was established at the 
Holy See.  The Center is headed by Fr. Abel Oghloukian.  Fr. 
Shnork, Fr. Abraham and Fr. Mikael of Etchmiadzin and Fr. 
Sebouh of the See of Cilicia are the appointed
associates.  The Center developed its own course of activity, 
as follows:  1) To prepare teachers to teach religious subjects 
in middle schools; 2) To give a series of lectures on religious 
subjects at centers of higher learning;  3)  To prepare 
programs for television broadcasting;  4) To give lecture 
visits in various cities and areas of Armenia;  5)  To prepare 
and publish books, pamphlets  and articles;   6) To organize 
Sunday Schools.
	
This plan was presented to His Holiness in detail.  During the 
ensuing nine months, though the staff was few in numbers, 
the Center was able to accomplish what it had set out to do.  
First, in Yerevan and Etchmiadzin, by a special selection 
process, three hundred fifty liberal arts teachers were 
gathered for instruction.  With each group we had six-hours-
a-week of classes at St. Sarkis Church in Yerevan, the 
Diocesan headquarters and at the Youth Hall in Etchmiadzin.  
The courses that were taught were theology, Armenian 
Church history, Church history, introduction to the Bible, 
New Testament and Religious Education.  Since such a 
program was first in its kind and there were no preexisting 
textbooks, lectures were being prepared individually for each 
class.  Some of these lectures were later published in the 
media.  Lectures on religious topics were also organized at 
various schools in Yerevan and Etchmiadzin; periodically 
lectures were given at Yerevan University and other 
Institutes.  Also,  Armenian television and media extensively 
used the educational and religious material that were 
prepared by the Center.  Two television programs were set 
up, Khoran Looso (Alter of Light), twice a month and 
Geeragameditz Khosk  (Weekend Message), once a week. 
Presented in these programs were sermons, biblical stories 
and interpretations, explanations about religious and national 
holidays, liturgical services, sacraments and stories from 
Armenian Church history.   A number of clergy from the 
diaspora participated in these broadcasts.  The Center also 
paid special attention to the media and publications.  As 
such, articles, research papers, reflections and responses 
were published in various newspapers of the country.
	
Here, I would like to specifically mention the major 
contributions of His Grace Bishop Hovnan Derderian 
[Primate of Canada], who in response to the requests of the 
Center, printed and shipped over four hundred thousand 
prayer cards (decorated with Armenian miniatures), 
pamphlets, booklets, sermon books and religious educational 
literature.   These materials were distributed by the Center 
throughout Armenia--from Ghapan to Spitak, from Artzakh 
to Georgia and to the Armenian population living in the area 
of the Black Sea.  The publications of Bishop Hovnan are 
known throughout Armenia.  Similarly, the publication of the 
sermon of St. Gregory the Miracle Worker by the Eastern 
Diocese was widely distributed in Armenia.  The Eastern 
Diocese also donated a computer for the needs of the Center.  
Here, on behalf of the Center, I would like to express our 
thanks and appreciation to Bishop Hovnan and Bishop 
Khajag [of the Eastern Diocese].
	
Before I conclude my remarks about the Center, let me just 
say that during the past nine months, despite our limited 
resources, the Center, through dedication and determination, 
has accomplished a lot.  The proof is the fact that many high 
level institutions, news agencies, publishing organizations, 
and particularly the Ministry of Education in Armenia are 
consulting the Center for advice on religious and church 
matters.  It is true that the Center had many difficulties and 
struggles, but we are consoled by the results of our activities 
and work.  However, it is absolutely necessary that in 
Armenia, the pastoral evangelization and religious-cultural 
activities are developed and spread on a much wider range.  
This is the imperative of the day.  If we are late, things will 
be lost without the possibility of recovery.  In recent years, 
Armenia has become a competitive ground for  Catholics, 
Protestants, cults and ideologies of foreign religions, who 
have major and organized support systems and resources, 
such as literature in massive numbers.  They are very 
successful in their proselytization and are expending on a 
daily basis. The Catholics, Protestants, Krishnas, Pagans, and 
other religious movements are leading our people to a 
definite destruction.   In view of our glorious history and 
realizing the consequences of these disastrous movements, 
we, the Armenian clergy, cannot remain passive.  If we want 
to lead our people in its entirety by the Gospel of Christ, if 
we want to have a strong Church, if we want a free and 
strong fatherland, then we should utilize every mean and 
self-sacrifice to stop the spiritual break up of our people and 
its disastrous course.  It is disastrous, because the Catholic 
proselytization is removing from the hearts of our people the 
spirit and faith of our forefathers. Protestantism is depriving 
the Armenian from his national church.  The cult movements 
are distancing our people from the true God that our people 
have believed in for two thousand years.   And altogether 
they are alienating the Armenian from his national traditions 
and unique culture. Isn't this a new "white genocide?"
  	
Beautifully published religious literature, abundant financial 
resources, and high compensations are some of the deceptive 
ways by which the foreigners are operating in Armenia.  I am 
convinced that is issue concerns us all.  Two priests from the 
Eastern Diocese were sent to the Holy See to assess the 
situation.  They became familiar with the religious and 
ecclesial situation, they had meetings, gave lectures, and 
together with the CPF, they formed a plan which will be 
implemented by the clergy of the Eastern Diocese of 
America.  According to this plan, the following are being 
formulated: short and long term clergy visits to Armenia to 
organize lectures, Sunday Schools and camps, and to work 
with the local clergy on pastoral and evangelical activities.  
We hope this project will soon be implemented
through the continuous efforts of the Diocese. It is imperative 
that other Dioceses and capable clergymen also express their 
practical advice on this issue.
	
There are several avenues by which we can develop the 
spiritual awakening  in Armenia--in a true Christian and 
national sense. When we look at the fifteen hundred year old 
history of our people, it is very clear that during difficulties, 
invasions, religious and cultic movements, and exiles there 
were two active functionaries that emerged: the Church and 
the national culture that was developed in monasteries and 
religious institutions.   The first requirement for the 
perpetuation of the church is the preparation of the new 
generation.  In recent years there has been much talk about 
this.  His Holiness is also concerned about this issue, as well 
as, those who are concerned about the future of the church.  
It is true that in recent years there has been progress.   
However, in my opinion, in order for us to be more effective, 
it is necessary that well prepared and dedicated clergy teach 
at the Seminary [of Holy Etchmiadzin].  Also, our primary 
work should be to educate hundreds of lay teachers in this 
institution.  It is impossible to leave this enormous 
responsibility on the shoulders of a few clergymen.   The 
second requirement is to separate the students of the 
Seminary from the populated environment of the Mother See 
[of Holy Etchmiadzin].  Perhaps this problem can be solved 
with the return of the building of the Kevorkian Seminary in 
the area.  As for the new educational centers in Sevan and 
Haghpad, they were designed to prepare students for the 
[Etchmiadzin] Seminary, [rather than becoming self-
supported seminaries themselves].
	
The second important factor in preserving the nation is the 
national culture.  There is progress in this aspect too: the 
formation of a youth group at the monastery of Khor Virab 
which consists of teachers and educators from the Ardashad 
and Ararat regions.  They are publishing the now famous 
religious weekly "Gavit" and organizing lectures for their 
members.  Also, the ten member editorial group organized by 
Bishop Barkev of Artsakh has embarked on tremendous 
work. Other church groups are functioning out of the 
Diocesan Center in Yerevan.   This progress is very pleasing.  
We should not forget that during the most difficult times of 
our people and church, it was our monasteries that, through 
much sacrifice, developed our national culture. The role of 
our holy ancestors in creating a unique culture is undeniable.  
Our ancestors were well aware that more than the daily 
bread, it was the church and culture that preserved the nation.  
Today, if we were able to understand and transmit our 
Medieval unequaled culture--if we were able to re-
familiarize our people with our Saints--then cults and other 
foreign beliefs would not find a place among our people.  
Considering the history of centuries, it is my sincere belief 
that it is only through underlying our national and religious 
culture that we can develop, strengthen and unite our nation 
as a whole.  It was with these convictions, that two years ago, 
the Momik Youth Association of Armenian Christian Culture  
was founded.  The Association consists of artists, 
miniaturists, painters, literary individuals,  and editorial staff 
of the "Momik" publication.  The Association intends to 
bring together creative individuals as well as apologetics of 
Armenian Christian culture.   Already, a group of writers and 
translators--among whom are professors from Yerevan 
University--are working on the texts of medieval Armenian 
religious literature.  On the other hand, the artists are 
preparing a unique Armenian Christian exhibition.  The 
miniaturists are preparing an Armenian children's Bible with 
paintings that follow the style of Armenian medieval 
miniatures.  The Association has many plans and its activities 
are quite tangible.  Upon the request of the Association, on 
April 15, [1991], the government of Armenia gave official 
recognition to its by-laws.  Subsequently, the Association 
was given offices and a exhibition hall, by a special decision, 
near the Opera House in central Yerevan. As the President of 
the Association, I assure you, that the members, with much 
dedication are working diligently to put the national 
reawakening on national foundations, to save our people 
from various foreign ideologies and teachings.
	
Finally, by utilizing the vast resources and opportunities, we 
should reassign the church the mission of rebuilding our 
national culture.  As it is the case in both Armenia and the 
Diaspora, in order to achieve the expected results, it is 
absolutely necessary that we combine our efforts and 
resources.
	
May the Lord help us--with the faith of our forefathers and 
their undying legacy--to lead the people entrusted to us.

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