Preaching Our Unique Faith, Teaching Our Culture

Throughout 2002, via workshops, publications, and events, the Eastern Diocese tried to build a better understanding of the Armenian Divine Liturgy during its "Year of the Holy Badarak". 

But teaching the Armenian Divine Liturgy also means educating people about the Armenian culture and heritage.

By educating our parishioners -- showing them the faith revealed in the Divine Liturgy, and the strength found in Armenian history -- we act as stewards, strengthening our church's foundation to support a stronger tomorrow.

Focus on Our Faith

A major focus of 2002's badarak education was a six-session course designed by Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, pastor at the Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY.

Each parish in the Eastern Diocese was encouraged to hold the course, which covered topics including the Biblical origins of the badarak, its evolution through the ages, explanations of the various parts of the Divine Liturgy, and the role parishioners play.

"The business of the church is the liturgy," said Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor at St. Mesrob Church in Racine, WI.  "On Sundays we realize that God is a way to get completely renovated, we find out again who we are.  We are precious children of God, and that's what we get from the liturgy.  We remember we're beloved children."

Participants in the badarak courses received from the Diocese a variety of materials, from essays to Bible readings, to help guide them through the classes.  The courses were just one of a number of efforts designed to educate all our parishioners about the importance of the Divine Liturgy.

Built upon Our Heritage

While the badarak courses and other educational materials produced in 2002 helped people embrace Christianity, a wealth of other activities and resources helped define that Christianity as distinctly Armenian.

"The 'Year of the Badarak' gave us the opportunity to establish new programs and create new instructional materials for our youth," said Sylva der Stepanian, director of the Diocese's Armenian Language Lab and Resource Center.  "Armenian Education within the church incorporates religion, moral values, language, history, and traditions.  These elements form a whole."

To meld the study of the Badarak with the study of Armenian language and culture, the Diocese sponsored reading tests, creative writing contests, and educational games.

The Diocese also laid the groundwork for expanding its successful Khrimian Lyceum educational program.  The Khrimian Lyceum is a six-year program for students aged 12 to 18, which teaches Armenian religion, history, language, and culture.

At present, it is only offered in New York City.  Diocesan staff met in 2002 with leaders in Boston to plan the first regional Khrimian Lyceum.  While details remain tentative, the goal is to start offering the program in the Boston area in the fall of 2003.

"It would be an ideal way to teach Armenian to our kids, to help them understand the liturgy better," said Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor at Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA.  "But if there's anything holding some of our youth away from the church it's not a language issue; it's a larger appreciation, an in-depth understanding of the Divine Liturgy.  This type of program could certainly help with that."