Article: Armenian Orthodox Church Grows in Armenia

Click here to read an article posted at voanews.com entitled, 'Armenian Awakening: Revivial of a Church'.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

“Our church is getting younger and younger,” jokingly says Father Shmavon Ghevondyan of St. Hovhannes Armenian Apostolic Church in Yerevan. “We are seeing a new trend of Armenian youth attending service.”

In the 20th century, Armenia witnessed a series of cataclysms with the Armenian nation nearly destroyed by the Turks, the country’s identity swallowed by communism and a wave of emigration to the West.

Now, more Armenians live outside the republic than inside it. The Armenian immigrants – many of whom were raised without religion, under a communist regime – have been drawn back to the old church, helping to rebuild and sustain the [sic] Armenia’s identity.

I find this article encouraging, because in America we are all too aware of the lack of interest, involvement, and attendance among Armenian Orthodox Christians. There are some who are especially anxious about the future of the Armenian Orthodox Church because of the generation gap, thus placing pressure on the younger generation to secure the Church's survival. The Armenian Orthodox Church, needing to move beyond this 'survival mentality', should find solace in that the younger generation, at least in Armenia, is returning to the Mother Church for its spiritual home. This is actually more than encouraging. It is hopeful.

I also find this article refreshing, because we are also all too aware of the weaknesses and shortcomings of the Armenian Orthodox Church. Much time is spent discussing the political divisions within the Church, the effects of the atrocities it has experienced, what needs to be addressed and fixed in order for the Church to retain and carry out its Christian mission, and again, as stated above, the lack of interest and attendance among its members. In contrast to such discussions, this article points specifically to something overtly positive. A positive trend in spiritual maturity and growth in numbers. Something for which the Armenian Orthodox faithful have been praying.

I'll admit that I was disappointed as I began to read the comments about the article that were left by some readers. (I left my own comment under "Eryk (USA)") Too often, Armenian Orthodox Christians get distracted with other issues that are not central or relevant to the current discussion. Not that these other issues are not important, within the correct context. My concern is that some of us are not able to recognize a good message, or an answer to prayer when we hear or see it. So as we read this article, let's focus on what it's saying, and on the hope it gives to the Armenian Orthodox Church and her faithful. Let's pray that this growing trend continues throughout Armenia, and the Diaspora.

Photo above: courtesy of VOA - D. Markosian