Reaching Russian Speakers

Long accustomed to doing things in two languages, Armenian and English, the Diocese continued efforts in 2002 to reach out to the large, new communities of Russian-speaking immigrants.

Heading the effort is Archbishop Anania Arabajyan, pastor of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mission Parish in Brooklyn, NY, one of the largest Russian-speaking communities in the Diocese.  Along with Fr. Simeon Odabashian, director of the Diocese's Mission Parish Program, Archbishop Arabajyan organizes Russian-language services wherever needed throughout the entire Diocese.

In 2002 the Diocese revamped its main Russian-language publication, switching to a more attractive magazine format.  While the content mirrors the English version of The Armenian Church magazine, the stories in the Russian version are edited specifically for the new communities, taking into account their background and understanding of the Armenian Church and its traditions. 

The Russian-language version also features articles to help educate new immigrants in the basics of our faith.

"Many of these people are from the former Soviet Union, especially Azerbaijan, so they didn't have any Armenian schools or religious education.  They don't know the customs or faith.  Now we're trying to teach them the Armenian heritage," Abp. Arabajyan explained.  "These programs help them to understand their Armenian heritage.  Without these, they would feel isolated."

In 2002 the Russian-language magazine was sent to 1,000 families, and the list continues to grow.  Along with Brooklyn, other pockets of Russian-speaking Armenian immigrants can be found in Belleville, IL; Columbus, OH; Lansing, MI; and Cheltenham, PA.

New Tools to Educate Faithful

Besides with the Russian-language magazine, the Diocese produced a Russian edition of The Instructed Liturgy, which contains narrative explanations to improve understanding of the service.  The book was already available in English and Armenian.

Also in 2002, the Diocese produced a Russian and Eastern Armenian version of its popular pew book, which contains the complete text of the Divine Liturgy along with explanations of various parts of the service.  The English and Western Armenian version of the pew book was issued in 1999.

Plans are underway to publish in 2003 a Russian version of the popular Walk Through the Divine Liturgy booklet, an extra resource to further explain the badarak.

In 2002, the Diocese also released a tri-lingual book explaining the "Home Blessing" (or dnorhnek) service in English, Armenian, and Russian.

"In our Diocese, we want our worship experiences -- not only the badarak but all of them -- to be understood, participated in, and enjoyed by everyone," said Elise Antreassian, who directs the Diocese's Department of Religious Education.  "Our job is to take the priestly work already done, share it in different languages, and provide whatever explanatory material might be helpful."