PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

MEETING THE ARMENIAN YOUTH OF MONTREAL

HIS HOLINESS ASSURES THAT THE ARMENIAN
CHURCH NEEDS REFORMS

His Holiness Aram I met with the Armenian youth of Montreal on the evening
of September 26, listening to their concerns, views and proposals regarding
various issues related to our nation.

During the meeting that lasted over two hours, His Holiness proved that he
is also the Catholicos of the youth, one who speaks their language and
understands well their concerns.

Lorig Hovsepian delivered the opening remarks, welcoming His Holiness in
Montreal and expressing gratitude for the opportunity given to the youth to
meet His Holiness. She then talked about various challenges and problems
troubling the youth, focusing on what the Armenian youth expects from its
church today.

V Rev Fr Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, who accompanies His Holiness on his trip, talked about the
technological orientation of today’s youth in general and the Armenian youth
in particular.

Over 200 young males and females were given the opportunity to ask
questions, express concerns and talk about their expectations. His Holiness
Aram I gave detailed explanations to their questions.

The questions included issues related to the efforts of reforming the
Armenian Church especially in light of the social and moral values of the
West.

“Our church has an overdue need for reform. Reform does not only mean
shortening or adapting rites and services. Reform should include all the
areas of our church’s life. Social and moral issues are part of the church’s
reform and these should be discussed according to the Bible and the
theological principals of a Christian Church,” said His Holiness.

His Holiness stated that a special committee of professionals and ordinary
people has been formed within the Catholicosate of Cilicia to gather
different views regarding the preparatory work for the reform of the
Armenian Church.

Answering questions related to the participation of the youth in church
activities, His Holiness said: “Even though several structures are used for
the ritual life of the church, the church in itself is not a structure; it’s
a mission. The church should reproach its people, speak its youth’s
language, and involve them in its life and mission. Otherwise, churches will
become empty and lose their believers.”

The Catholicos also spoke about a youth swinging between traditions and
modernity, pointing out that today’s youth find it difficult to establish
their identities and take up their responsibilities in light of the current
world’s challenges.

Prelate Archbishop Khajag Hagopian concluded the evening, promising the
youth more opportunities to meet with the spiritual leaders and exchange
views on the efforts needed for the reform of the Armenian Church.
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View pictures here:

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.