SOCIAL WORK IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE CHURCH’S LIFE AND WITNESS” SAID HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

On the occasion of the international day of social workers, the staff of Armenian institutions visited His Holiness Aram I on Friday 1 February 2013. On behalf of the group, Ms. Annie Boudjikanian reported on their work and shared their concerns. In his message, the Catholicos welcomed the group and thanked them for serving the community. He said: “Working with the people and responding to their needs is and important aspect of the vocation of the church. He then continued, “Jesus came to serve humanity. He conveyed their message through his parables and miracles. Jesus served people irrespective of their belongings. He then added that being Christian means taking part in the diakonia of the church, which also means self-sacrifice”. Referring to the issues social workers deal to His Holiness identified the following pre-conditions: 1) contextual analysis, 2) setting clear priorities, 3) good organization and coherent approach, 4) qualified personnel.

Finally, Catholicos Aram I asked the social workers to give priority to Armenian refugees arriving from Syria.

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