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:
THE PRESIDENT OF HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY LECTURES IN THE SEMINARY
The president of Haigazian University, Dr. Paul Haidostian, delivered a
special lecture entitled “Shepherd-flock mutual relations” during an event
organized by the Student Committee of the Seminary of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia on March 24. The invitation to lecture for the Seminary students had
been sent by the Seminary’s administration to Dr. Haidostian.
The opening remarks were delivered by Deacon Trasdamad Donoyan, who
highlighted the responsible mission trusted to the clergy within the church’
s service mission. The Seminary’s choir then performed two songs that
symbolize the heavy but sweet “burden” placed on the followers of Christ.
Dr. Haidostian drew parallels between spiritual service and the role of a
spiritual leader in his community. He expressed his viewpoints with a
pedagogical approach, making them understandable for 12-21 year old
students, who are preparing themselves to serve God, the Armenian Church and
nation in the Seminary.
Dr. Haidostian summarized his lecture in five main points:
I. The readiness and commitment of the shepherd to know and find the lost
sheep. “A person preparing himself for leading a community or for a
spiritual mission is obliged to develop in himself a caring heart along with
administrative, social, intellectual and other skills so he can recognize
lost people. That person could be lost at his own free will and consciously
or he could be misled by others. The shepherd’s task is to reveal, recognize
and save that person,” said Dr. Haidostian.
II. It is the shepherd’s duty to find the lost sheep for whom he will be
paying a very “high price.” “The spiritual leader should go after the lost
people whatever the circumstances of leaving behind the entire community to
do so. He will pay a high price for his search, because in various
circumstances he could get injured, face dangers and suffer many times, just
as the shepherd chasing his lost sheep in the mountains or fields could be
injured,” he said.
III. The shepherd knows the way to reach lost people. “With his formation,
proficiency and experience the shepherd knows the way, the direction.
Otherwise he could mislead all the flock following him. Consequently, when
he knows the way, he will find those lost. The shepherd’s loving heart is
the driving force for finding the lost sheep. Watch people seeing off their
loved ones before the latter travel; they fix their eyes on them until their
disappearance in the horizon. Why? Because they love those people they were
separated from because of travel. The same is true for the spiritual leader.
When he loves his community, he puts his heart in his service,” Dr.
Haidostian emphasized.
IV. The shepherd carries the lost sheep on his shoulders and comes back.
“The found sheep should not be scolded for being lost. They could be lost
because of a concern, they could have conflicts, be tired or confused. On
the contrary, the image shown in the Gospel explains that the shepherd
carries the lost sheep on his shoulders. It’s the same for the spiritual
leader; he shows the right way to the lost person, until the latter goes
back to normal life. It’s only natural that the lost person would not rise
>From his lost condition instantly; however, it is the spiritual leader’s
obligation to follow his steps and showing him the right way,” he said.
V. It’s the shepherd that is happiest for finding the lost people. “The
shepherd who witnesses the recovery of his lost sheep lives his happiest
moments of spiritual satisfaction. Can we completely succeed in our mission?
Surely not, because many times we will fall and get injured. We are not
perfect; only the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is perfect. We are destined
to love, just as the Good Shepherd himself loved his sheep,” Dr. Haidostian
concluded.
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian delivered the closing remarks on behalf of the
Seminary’s administration, thanking Dr. Haidostian for his easy delivery of
the lecture. Referring to images of walking barefoot on the thorny path of
spiritual service and following Christ in his suffering, the Dean of the
Seminary spoke about the duty of the spiritual leader to reach those in need
even in an injured state.
The event came to its end with prayers, leaving a deep impression on the
students and clergy.
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View photos here: tm
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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 Theological
Seminary 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress