Aram I hails Christian education efforts by Tehran diocese

11/5/2012

PanARMENIAN.Net – Meeting with the General Assembly of Tehran diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, emphasized the particular importance of Christian education as a vital dimension of the Christian mission.

He said: “The church fulfills itself as a community of faith through its missionary outreach. Christian education is an important area of the church’s missionary engagement. For the Armenian Church Christian education has always been a top priority. I welcome the growing activities of the diocese in the field of Christian education. Bible studies, Sunday schools, popular lecture series are indeed concrete manifestations of the church’s to Christian education”.

In His message to the General Assembly Aram I reminded that “the Armenian Church is the people’s church. Therefore, the active participation of our people, men and women, young and old is essential. Discrimination should have no place in the life of the church. All the members of the church are equal. This sense of belonging to each other in Christ must sustain the church’s life and witness”.

His Holiness also referred to the Armenian Church’s involvement in activities pertaining to human rights and genocide. “Human rights are not man-made, they are the gifts of God. Therefore, violation of human rights is a sin against God”.

According to His Holiness, the church must become advocate of human rights as integral part of its Christian vocation.
In His opening word, Archbishop Sarkissian warmly welcomed His Holiness’ pontifical visit to the Armenian community, considering it a spiritual event which will certainly re-strengthen the community’s faith and its dedication to the Gospel message.

At the end of the meeting His Holiness Aram I answered to questions related to Christian education, the role of the Armenian school, the challenges facing the Christian communities in the Middle East, Christian-Muslim dialogue and the Armenia- Diaspora relations.

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