“IN CHRISTIANITY BELIEVING MEANS LEARNING, PRACTICING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE FAITH”
“IN CHRISTIANITY BELIEVING MEANS LEARNING, PRACTICING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE FAITH” Stated Catholicos Aram I during a Bible Study class for Women
On Tuesday, 5 June 2012, His Holiness Aram I met with the 150 women enrolled in a Bible Study course organized by the Christian Education department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The Catholicos explained the meaning of faith and its importance in daily life. He said that in early times of human history, people realized their imperfection and sought the assistance of transcendent powers. Through reason and the advance of civilizations, the understanding of faith deepened. In Christianity, he added, Jesus the Son of God showed the way to the Father, the way to true life. For Christians, therefore, Jesus is the Truth and His Incarnation is an essential part of the faith. It is not enough to accept Jesus, one must believe in Him. Believing involves knowing the faith, which is gained by asking questions about it and understanding its implications through Bible study, theological study and religious education.
Aram I went on to say that believing embraces living the true life, which is the way of the cross, a way where true faith is accompanied by action; as Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9 :23). Taking up the cross daily implies participation in church and society, because “in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5). Bible verses refer to this Body as the Church in this world. Currently, in Western societies some people belong to a church as an institution without believing; however, the Catholicos continued, believing and belonging are inseparable. Therefore, he concluded, “I invite you to become more active in our Church.”
Next year, the Bible Study course will focus on the Sacraments and Rituals of the Armenian Orthodox Church.
