Fresno Bee (California)
October 12, 2005, Wednesday FINAL EDITION

Looking within, reaching out Armenian cleric says Mideast Christians
must rise to the challenge of living in a Muslim world.

Ron Orozco The Fresno Bee

Christians face a challenge living in the Middle East, His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon, said Tuesday.

Christians live as a minority in that part of the world, where most
people are Muslim. He said some Christian churches struggle for
survival and that they must reorganize themselves in order to live
peacefully with Muslims.

“It is a challenge that should move the Christian Church to recovery,
rediscovery and renewal,” said Aram I, moderator of the World Council
of Churches, which is made up of 340 churches representing more than
400 million Christians globally.

Aram I gave a lecture Tuesday in front of several hundred people at
Fresno Pacific University in southeast Fresno. It was part of a
pontifical visit in California, marking the 10th anniversary of Aram
I’s enthronement. The Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church arranged the visit.

Before Aram I’s talk, an ecumenical prayer service was held in his
honor at Butler Church near Fresno Pacific. Ten doves were released
upon his arrival — one per enthronement year.

Bishop John T. Steinbock of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno gave
one of the opening prayers. And Pacific Chamber Singers wrapped up
the service by singing “The Lord’s Prayer” in Armenian.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but then everyone stood up and I
thought, ‘Oh, my, this guy is important,’ ” said Jennifer Eastwood, a
Fresno Pacific senior majoring in vocal performance and a chamber
singer. “I felt honored to sing.”

At Fresno Pacific’s Ashley Auditorium, Aram I’s lecture, “Challenges
Facing Christianity in the Middle East,” came just days after the
university held Building a Culture of Peace week. The university is
supported by the Mennonite Brethren Church.

Islam in the Middle East, Aram I said, has created a new context for
Christians to live out their faith in their communities — from
Greek, Armenian and Syrian Orthodox to Roman Catholic to Protestant.

“We live with Muslims; they’re our neighbors,” said Aram I, wearing a
black robe. “It is very important we reactivate our living together
as one community in the Middle East.

“With Muslims, we share common values,” he said. “We cannot live in
isolation. We need to develop a kind of theology as churches so
living together is manifested concretely. We still can preserve our
identity.”

Those attending the lecture had an opportunity to ask questions. One
student asked whether it was possible for Christians to serve Muslims
and still hold on to their faith beliefs.

Aram I answered yes. Christians shouldn’t compromise their missionary
role, including serving others such as Muslims.

“Serving doesn’t recognize boundaries,” he said.

Anna Ambaryan, a Fresno Pacific sophomore who is of Armenian descent,
said she felt a sense of pride as she listened to an Armenian
spiritual leader.

“He said not to compromise but to be strong in your faith,” Ambaryan
said. “That will show God’s love to others.”

Aram I’s Fresno visit will conclude today, when he blesses an
agricultural field at North and Clovis avenues and visits California
Armenian Home and First Armenian Presbyterian Church in Fresno.