Bringing youth closer to the Church
The youth hold a vital place in the life and future of the Armenian Church. As the heirs of a faith rooted in centuries of history, young Armenians are not only the recipients of tradition but also the carriers of renewal. Their presence in worship, community service, and cultural life ensures that the Church remains vibrant and connected to the next generation.
In today’s fast-paced world, many Armenian youths find it difficult to remain connected to the traditional values of the Armenian Church. The demands of school, work, and the challenges of living in a multicultural society often leave little time for spiritual life. While some remain engaged in cultural organizations such as the AYF, Homenetmen, and Hamazkayin, the Church is too often overlooked. Sadly, it is sometimes perceived as distant, unappealing, or relevant only to older generations. For many, attendance is limited to weddings, baptisms, or the major feast days of Christmas and Easter.
Yet the Church is not only a house of prayer but also a living community, and it must strive to meet the spiritual and social needs of its youth. To inspire greater involvement, the Church should offer programs that are engaging, purposeful, and enriching. Initiatives such as inter-parish activities, competitions, and opportunities for fellowship with sister churches—such as Soorp Nishan in Cambridge or Soorp Hagop and Soorp Kevork in Montreal and Laval—can help foster unity, belonging, and excitement among the younger generation.
Encouragingly, new efforts are already being made. Through the work of the Christian Education Committee, programs have begun to bring youth closer to one another and to the Church. By the grace of our Lord, may these efforts continue to grow, bearing fruit in abundance, and ensuring that the Armenian Church remains alive and vibrant in the hearts of its youth.
Norhaik Atanos