LONGED-FOR MEETING WITH ARCHBISHOP

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
28 April 07

On April 23 the primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Pargev Martirosian met with the representatives of youth organizations of NKR. Most problems that they discussed were on the indifference of a major part of the society towards the church. There were proposals from young people on how to bring the society and the church closer. One of the proposals was to conduct service in modern Armenian, not in the ancient Armenian which people do not understand. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian said in some countries this innovation produced the contrary of what they had expected. As to the flourishing sects, the archbishop of Artsakh thinks this phenomenon has a different cause. Certain religious organizations interpreted and used the post-Soviet freedom in their own way, which is worrying
especially in Karabakh.

Especially that the small groups are backed by more powerful organizations, which have a well-designed and prepared program. However, it does not mean that the Armenian Apostolic Church makes no efforts to fight sects. "In 1989 there were 28-29 Armenian churches in the former Soviet Union, now there are over 400," said Archbishop Pargev adding that efforts are made to expand public relations, different books are published, radio and TV programs are broadcast. The Artsakh Diocese also makes efforts. Certainly, there are problems, namely shortage of money. Besides, there is a shortage of priests. If each member of a sect is a preacher of their ideas, it takes 10 years to prepare priests of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Yet there are other problems. The core issue of the meeting was the role of young people in this context. The participants arranged to meet again in the middle of May with proposals, and involve more people.

NORAIR HOVSEPIAN.
28-04-2007