Window Quarterly Vol. 3, No. 1, 1992 Copyright 1992 [Permission is granted to use, print, reproduce this article provided the following acknowledgment is given: From Window Quarterly 2, 4 (1992); ACRAG c. 1992. *** THE PRICE OF FREEDOM Conversation with His Holiness Vazken I Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenian Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia by Hratch Tchilingirian HT: Your Holiness, now that Armenia has become an independent nation and a democratic system has emerged in the country, what is the relationship between the Armenian Church and the Government? HIS HOLINESS: Indeed, this is a very appropriate question because we need to clarify church and state relationships. It is evident that in the past, during the Communist period until World War II--throughout the Soviet Union, including Armenia-- the church was persecuted. From 1938 to 1939, practically all monasteries and churches were closed. In fact, in Artzakh, Karabagh, it was even earlier than that. Here in Etchmiadzin, we have a letter from the last Primate of Artzakh, Bishop Vertanes, which is a significant document in this respect. The author of the letter writes to the Catholicos of the time that 18 monasteries and 105 churches have been closed in Artzakh and he is the only clergyman who has been allowed to remain in office in the monastery of Kantzasar--which at the time was the headquarters of the Diocese of Artzakh. Eventually, that bishop was also arrested and imprisoned in Baku under false accusations and blames. They released him after a short period of time on the condition that he will never return to Artzakh. After World War II the situation slightly improved because some churches were reopened, but that was the extent of it. Further improvement of the situation occurred a little later during the time when we were elected Catholicos and the subsequent years; even though our rights were very limited, nevertheless, 20 churches were reopened. As for building new churches, that was unthinkable. Today, with the declaration of political independence [in Armenia], the situation has changed drastically, not only has the persecution of the church disappeared, but also the issue of tolerance has been resolved. The church today has become independent and self-governing and is enjoying the auspices of the Government, which has clarified and exacted the relationship of the church and state through specific laws, freedom of conscious laws. That law was examined during several sessions of the Parliament, and thereafter put to a vote. We also participated in the discussions. In reality, this law is a public declaration of freedom of religion and conscious the way it is in all Western democratic countries. It is interesting, however, that in that law specific importance is given to the Armenian Apostolic Church as the national Mother Church. Accordingly, the Armenian Church has been granted privileges and as such, the church is a legal entity with all rights to all property and goods. This law has also accorded freedom to other church and religious organizations and denominations, particularly the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. However, it should be mentioned that the freedom given to these denominations are limited. They are to practice it in their respective communities only. Acts of conversion and proselytization are forbidden. The law also gives the right of operation to certain cults which were already established and were working in the country during the former system. Recently, in addition to these cults, various new movements have come to Armenia, such as the Mormons, the Krishnas, the Pentecostals, the Jehovah's Witnesses and so on. HT: Do you think that these denominations, if not now, eventually will want and will try to expand their activities and demand more freedom? HIS HOLINESS: We do not think that it will reach to that point. Nevertheless, such tendencies are evident among these denominations, particularly, when the difficult economical situation in Armenia is used as an advantage. For example, after the earthquake [of 1988], a group of people came from America and proposed to build a large factory in Armenia. We ourselves welcomed this proposal, this humanitarian proposal. However, in time they had plans to build a chapel on the same site, it was obvious that these people were Mormons and they were pursuing other missionary goals through this benevolent act. Naturally, such an activity was not allowed to take place in Armenia. We are happy to state that when such incidents occur, the state and the church are cooperative in solving them. This is very important because the infiltration of the cults in Armenia is very alarming. It is very sad to see these groups taking advantage of the difficult economic situation and the naivete, the goodwill of our people. HT: This concern is also profoundly felt in the Diaspora by both the clergy and the laity. One of the most effective ways of combatting against these cults is to spread similar evangelical activities which the Armenian Apostolic Church should organize. What are your thoughts about this? HIS HOLINESS: There is no doubt, that is the accepted means of encounter. There are some programs in this regard, but on a very small scale. In reality, however, in order to fully address this issue, it is absolutely necessary to have preachers, scholars who are prepared in this area, experts who are qualified and other individuals who have experience. Under the present circumstances, we need 50-60 preaching priests, yet in all practical terms, we only have a few as appropriate candidates for such work. We never anticipated that the freedom of religion that was granted would create such a situation for which certainly we were not prepared. HT: How about the Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin, where preachers and individuals who could do the work ought to be prepared? HIS HOLINESS: It is so, naturally, and we're happy that presently the student body has grown tremendously and the number has reached 110 students. However, in order for this group to start the work, they need at least three years to prepare themselves and acquire the knowledge that is needed to do such work. HT: Over the years, the diaspora Armenian communities have developed the parish system where each parish has its own pastor and church organizations, and through which the community comes together under the roof of the church. Do you have any plans to create such a system in Armenia also? HIS HOLINESS: Already such a system exists here. All the churches have their pastors and the rules of the old system have been lifted. Each church has its Parish Council, Diocesan Council, just as it is in the Diaspora. HT: What are the needs of the church today in Armenia, first and foremost? HIS HOLINESS: Of course presently, the most concerning need is the lack of clergymen. We have to prepare servants for the church in a very short period of time and quickly. The next question is the issue of new churches. Today many churches are being reopened and new ones are being put under the disposal of Etchmiadzin. We have to provide clergymen and pastors to all these new churches. In addition, we should also think about the internal diaspora, [Armenian communities within the boundaries of former Soviet Union]. During the Soviet period--in the various republics of the Union--Armenian churches either did not exist or were destroyed. Today, when most of them are being returned and new ones are being built and there is a need to build more, serious work is expected. We are facing great difficulties, especially in finding building material which is scarce. It should be mentioned however, that despite these difficulties, the renovation of many churches has begun. Here in Etchmiadzin, the complex of the old Kevorkian Seminary has been returned to us which needs renovation. The work will start probably sometime before the end of the year. We hope that the next academic year will start in the new building. The situation of the Armenian churches in the other republics is more difficult. We found out that in Russia, the Ukraine, Moldovia, the Northern Caucauses and in the Baltic countries, there are more Armenians than we thought--about two million. These communities now are in need of spiritual nourishment, cultural gatherings and other opportunities to bring them together as an organized community. In Middle Asia, benevolent and cultural associations have been organized, besides which also church bodies are being formed gradually. The needs are very clear. Today, in the Ukraine, there are four Armenian centers: Lvov, Kiev, Khargov, and Ghrim. For example in Ghrim, a large Armenian community existed in the past and until today there are eight 16th-18th century Armenian churches which have been preserved. These churches are in dire need of major renovations. Presently, there is only one clergyman for that entire region. We need at least three or four priests to serve our people in that area. There is a beautiful Armenia church in Moldovia, in the capital city of Kishinevi. Recently we visited the community there which is about 1500 Armenians and the church which resembles the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin. It also needs internal renovations which cannot be delayed if we want to preserve the building. This is the general picture of the church in the internal diaspora. HT: In the present situation, what are the expectations of Your Holiness from the Diaspora? How can the Armenian diaspora help Armenia and the church? HIS HOLINESS: As far as the Diaspora is concerned, we cannot be demanding. The Diaspora itself is in great need for clergymen. On the contrary, very often they apply to us to provide priests for various communities. Unfortunately, the monastery in Jerusalem, which could have greatly contributed in providing clergymen during the past 10-20 years, could not make a significant or even least contribution in preparing priests. Whatever we could have expected from the Diaspora, we received, truly, particularly the financial help and aid which came on time and continues to help in the disaster areas. In this respect, we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Bishops Hovnan and Khajag, who did outstanding work in North America to help Armenia and continue to help with their wise efforts. HT: Do you see a role for the laity in the preaching ministry? HIS HOLINESS: Yes, absolutely, if they are appropriately prepared and educated. For example the newspaper Loosavoritch [Illuminator], which is religious in nature, is published by the initiative and participation of the laity. In the beginning it had some political tendencies and it was under the auspices of the Armenian National Movement. However, when we had the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with the staff of the newspaper, we were pleasantly surprised; all of them are educated young men and women, they know Armenian well, they know their national literature, they read, they understand and they interpret the Holy Scriptures adequately. Through our suggestions, they have distanced themselves from the political currents and today they enjoy our auspices, including financially. It is such lay individuals that the church needs to utilize for evangelical purposes. We also have another group, the Yeghpayragtzootyoon [Fellowship] of the Armenian Church. We would like to select the members of our church councils, diocesan councils and other church bodies from such lay religious organizations. *** =================================================== _ _ _ _ _ |_| ___ _| | ___ _ _ _ | | | | | | _ / _ \ / _ | / _ \ | | | | | | | |_| |_| || |_ | | | || |_| || |_| || |_| |_| | \_________/\___||_| |_| \___/ \___/ \_________/ View Of The Armenian Church ========================================== =========