Workshops

aFollowing the Primate's remarks, and those of invited young speakers, the delegates were introduced to the Diocesan theme for the year: "Church and Home: Building One Spirit."

Diocesan Council Vice Chairman Oscar Tatosian spoke about the importance of connecting church and home to build strong morals and values. He spoke about a recent family gathering where he saw his young family members and thought about their future.

"Are they going to get the same Armenian spirit that I got growing up in my home? Do we, as adults, do our part? Was I being a good uncle? Do they know their Armenian nation? Do they know their history," he asked. "Are their hearts inspired in hearing the legends of St. Gregory or Gomidas or Gorky? And who among them will recognize the virtues of this heritage and determine that they want to wear the robes of the Armenian faith and hold that Armenian flame with pride."

He said that children have narrowed viewpoints, but as they grow older their worlds expand. If they do not have solid Armenian Christian values, he said he is afraid they will be tempted by society.

"Children see the world narrowly. They see the limits of the backyard, but as they grow their vision expands. Our boundaries expand and, as adults, we go to the world prepared by what we have learned in our homes," he said. "Home is where I was tutored in my identity and home was where my faith was instilled in me and home is where I became who I am."

Delegates were then presented by the Diocesan staff with a draft of a workbook of ideas and suggestions to build a connection between home and church. They then broke into small workshop groups, led by trained young people, to discuss the issues. They will compile the ideas and present them later in the assembly.