Religious Challenges Of The 21st Century And Armenia

Through 8-9 November, 2010 the Theological Faculty of Yerevan State University in cooperation with ART initiated a two-day discussion bringing together and developing dialogue among the students and professors of the faculties of Theology, History, Sociology, Psychology, priests, and representatives of Armenia Round Table Foundation.
The meeting started with Lord’s Prayer and a welcoming speech by the dean of the Theological Faculty of Yerevan State University bishop Anoushavan Zhamkochyan.The participants and lecturers were divided into two groups working in the library and the meeting hall of the faculty. The meetings were facilitated by the professors Hrachik Mirzoyan, Avetis Kalashyan, Ashot Manucharyan, etc.

The lectures and discussion were focused on Theological and Religious subjects defining the specific Christian contribution to the Social issues and social/diakonal service in Armenia, target achievements and existing problems in the field. During the discussions important themes were tackled such as poverty and wealth in Armenia; role of the state and church in the social work in modern Armenia. Trustworthy atmosphere enabled the participants to share information and establish cooperation between different players in Armenian society calling up for consolidated social activities which will be uniting in nature and leading towards formation of better collaboration and coordination between church and secular organizations involved in the field of social work and diakonia. Elaborated an expert group involving professors and priests for preparing a result-paper with recommendations on further activities and new collaborative projects.

Soon the materials of the meeting will be published that will be an important step towards the development of the formation of Social Concept of the Armenian Church.