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: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
&quo t;CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FORMS THE HEART
OF THE CHURCH’S MISSION"
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
"Christian education is the spreading of the truths, values and principals
introduced through Bethlehem. The aim of Christian education is not only to
spread these values and truths, but also to form a conscious Christian.
Christian education is not the teaching of biblical and religious knowledge,
but in its essence, it is the formation of the Christian man. It is a path
of life, a purpose of life. It is with this approach and perspective that
Christian education should be organized," said His Holiness while speaking
to a group of clergy and lay people participating in a conference dedicated
to Christian education in Beirut.
Referring to the need to re-evaluate Christian education in light of the
current world’s imperatives and challenges, His Holiness said: "Christian
truths are eternal; but it is essential that they are passed on according to
unique circumstances and concepts of the current time and environment. It is
not possible, for example, to engage in effective Christian education
following the same methods in Lebanon, Palestine and the United States.
Different religious-cultural environments demand different approaches. The
content should be the same, but the cover should be adjusted to the
corresponding environment."
On textbooks related to Christian education, the Pontiff said: "It is true
that a textbook is essential, but a textbook convenes information only.
Faith, spirit, dedication, love can’t be passed on through textbooks. This
is where the church’s role as an educator comes to the fore; here comes the
role of teachers dedicated to Christian education."
Representatives of the Catholicosate of All Armenians (Holy Etchmiadzine)
and the Catholicosate of Cilicia are also participating in the conference
along with participants from many countries in the world.
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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
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, 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
