Catholicos Aram I's Appeal to the Armenian People

The Apostolic Encyclical of His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has been read. The Catholicos has declared this year as the “Year of Spiritual Life Renewal,” and from now on, every year on the Sunday following Christmas, his encyclical will be read during the Divine Liturgy.

In this year's encyclical, Aram I noted that dedicating this year to the renewal of spiritual life is not a circumstantial decision, but rather a necessary imperative, considering the decline of the paramount importance of spiritual life in the life of the Armenian people.

The Catholicos also mentioned that, based on the current situation, the spiritual life of the Armenian people does not reflect the same vital state and authentic image as it did in the past. “The Armenian Church has predominantly become ceremonial; therefore, it is imperative and urgent to reform ceremonial life, aligning it with contemporary conditions and demands while ensuring active participation from the people. Without disregarding the importance of national values, it is essential for the Church to actively propose initiatives that emphasize spiritual values,” stated the encyclical.