THE PRELATE’S ROADMAP TO REVITALIZING TRADITIONS

Crossroads interviewed His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, on his reflections about the proclamation of 2025 as the Year of the Revitalization of Traditions by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia at a time when the speed of societal and technological change would appear to challenge values we have held dear to our hearts for centuries. In his answers, His Eminence also outlined how the Eastern Prelacy has already begun to work on implementing the proclamation.

How does the proclamation of 2025 as the Year of the Revitalization of Traditions resonate with the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern United States? What specific steps are being planned to bring this vision to life?

The proclamation aligns closely with our ongoing mission to preserve and enrich Armenian faith, culture, and identity in the Diaspora. In this direction, we have already established the St. Sahag and Mesrob Institute, a new Christian education initiative to familiarize our congregations on the East Coast with our centuries–old liturgical, spiritual, social, and other traditions. Revitalization of traditions will also be the central theme at our clergy conference on St. Ghevontiants day, to be held on February 25–26. Truly, when we examine our annual church calendar, each and every feast is a composite of valuable events and traditions, which unfortunately, being cut from our land, are forgotten. Thus, revitalization is imperative to bridge our roots.   

We plan to organize workshops, lectures, and community discussions on the importance of traditions. Educational materials will be developed, and our clergy will incorporate these themes into sermons and pastoral visits to ensure that this initiative reaches every segment of our community. I should add here that we will weave the 2025 Proclamation into our programs and agenda that have also been enriched by the previous proclamations by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The aggregate of the guidance offered by the Holy See and the locally developed work has enriched tremendously our life in the Eastern Prelacy parishes. The work we have been doing towards the revitalization of the Diaspora, the development of human resources or advocating for Artsakh, just to mention a few examples, is only expanded by the new proclamation. These are not mutually exclusive goals. There are simply differences in emphasis in our endeavors every year following the vision of the Catholicos and this year obviously our focus will be on revitalizing our traditions, yet the final result incorporates the work and the amazing results we have achieved with previous proclamations.  

What challenges do you foresee in revitalizing traditions within the context of a diverse Diaspora, especially among younger generations?  

One of the main challenges is ensuring that our traditions are presented in a way that resonates with younger generations who live in multicultural societies. It requires balancing authenticity with modern relevance. We aim to engage youth through digital platforms, interactive programs, and contemporary interpretations of traditions, making them accessible and relatable. Yet let me remind you that, throughout history but especially during times of social and technological upheaval—and those the world currently is currently experiencing, from the breakneck pace of technological advances including AI to the harrowing destructiveness of modern warfare—humankind has had a tendency to dismiss Tradition, with capital T, as outdated. That, whether plainly said or not, has often included attitudes towards the Church. It happened during the French Revolution and it did, even more viciously, during the Bolshevik Revolution and the active promotion of atheism in the Soviet Union and the Communist bloc. Yet, again and again, the Church has prevailed for over two thousand years now. The reason is simple. It has divine character and conveys a higher truth. Its apostolate is Truth, with capital T too, and conveying the love of God to everyone, without distinctions. Its values—our values—are timeless. And we all need the Redemption of our Lord. Yes, sometimes the youth feel that an unbridgeable gap separates them from older generations and institutions, yet it takes them only a few years to realize that what is essential is eternal. That’s true all over the world, from the United States to Armenia and from Canada to Argentina. Name any country, any place, and you will see that Tradition expresses manifestations of the human soul that are common regardless of who we are. In the Armenian case, that Tradition is what makes us who we are, a universal yet unique nation, a people scattered all over the world with many adopted traditions from the old country and the new ones, yet bound together by the one with the capital T.  

The proclamation mentions the danger of the Diaspora “wearing itself out.” How does the Eastern Prelacy address this issue in its day-to-day ministry?   

That refers to assimilation and it is a significant concern, especially as communities eventually tend to merge into larger societies in their host countries. During his Pontifical Visit of the last two years, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I transmitted a very powerful and dynamic message to say no to assimilation and yes to integration. We focus on fostering a sense of belonging through Church-led educational programs, cultural events, and spiritual guidance. By strengthening connections to our heritage and faith, we empower individuals to embrace their Armenian identity while contributing to their local societies. While this threat is ever present, and it is a direct consequence of the Genocide—the unwelcome ghost in our daily lives and struggles as Armenians—over time I have developed a cautious, yet realistic optimism. The soundest and most positive step to face the tsunami of changes in our era is to prepare a generation with full understanding of its ancestral heritage. In this regard, all of our youth programs are geared to building up a national identity with a Christ–centered approach. Thus, to speak with facts, the St. Gregory of Datev Institute, the Siamanto Academy, the Salt and Light program, the college ministry are solid examples that empower the immune system of our youth, overcoming the overwhelming power of attrition.  

Are there any efforts being planned to put out educational materials on the revitalization of traditions? And what steps are you taking to ensure these learning tools reflect the specific needs of the Eastern United States Armenian community?     

We are planning on collaborating with scholars, clergy, and educators from our community to create materials that are not only historically accurate but also relevant to the unique experiences of Armenians in the Eastern United States. This includes addressing linguistic diversity and offering digital resources to ensure accessibility for all age groups. Crucially, they also include a realistic assessment of the realities of modern society in our part of the country and the world. If you step out into the street in New York, you would think bridging these two things—traditions and modern life—is mission impossible. Yet that is missing the point. God is love. And that encompasses us all. As I said, what’s essential is eternal.