CATHOLICOSATE PUBLISHES SPIRITUAL RESOURCES TO ACCOMPANY 2009 YEAR OF ARMENIAN YOUTH

The declaration by His Holiness Aram I of 2009 as the Year of the Armenian Youth coincided with the crisis in the World Economic Order. Like youth everywhere, Armenian youth are facing the consequences of the credit crisis. Unemployment is a real threat to everyone. Youth are disillusioned with the concept of materialism as a ‘source of happiness,’ and many of them, particularly those in all religious traditions, are seeking spiritual enforcement.

The year of youth in the Armenian Orthodox Church is, therefore, not a declaration of intent; it is a task to be implemented in all dioceses in the diaspora with the cooperation of the clergy, laity and youth. While every century or decade has brought a new challenge to the Armenian Church and faithful, our religious literature, as a relevant source of spirituality, has always accompanied the nation during difficult periods.

The recently published religious education book, “The Road to Heaven,” is a vivid example. The book is a biblical interpretation of the meaning of Christian life. It was written by the scholar, Manouk Gagossian, in Gürün and printed for the fourth time in 1907. The book has been translated from classical Armenian to western Armenian by the young priest, Rev. Fr. Varant Kortmossian.

The Youth Department of the Catholicosate offers “The Road to Heaven” to Armenian youth, hoping that it will help them to understand Christian life and to view their lives from a new perspective.

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