THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN EUROPE TODAY

08/03/2011

On 3 August 2011, Deacon Heratch Chiliguirian lecturer at Cambridge University, who is also serving the St. Sarkis Church in London, visited the Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia and spoke of the “Armenian Church in Europe Today” to the priests, deacons and students.

Archbishop Nareg Alemezian welcomed the guest speaker and said, “the presence of Deacon Heratch among us demonstrates that all Armenian students whether in seminaries or theological faculties converge around the same goal, namely, serving the Armenian Church responsibly.”

In his response, the Deacon expressed his joy at being in Bikfaya and meeting his colleagues at the seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Deacon Heratch began his presentation by describing the historical evolution of the Armenian Church in Europe and its current crisis. He then spoke of St. Sarkis Church in London as the example where clergy and laity work together closely. He then described the issues Christians are facing in secular Europe and concluded that the Armenian Church should nurture the spirituality of its people everywhere in order to avoid major problems.

Archbishop Gorun Babian thanked Archbishop Nareg for organizing the evening, and Deacon Heratch for encouraging the seminarians to strengthen themselves with the faith of the Armenian Church as they prepare to serve the Church.

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