The Prelacy's mission is as old as the Armenian Church and as new
as the needs of tomorrow's generation. Of course, the primary and
fundamental mission of the Prelacy is religious, to teach the Gospel of
our Lord, Jesus Christ. Throughout the centuries, since Armenia became the
first nation to accept Christianity, the Church has been the mainstay of
national life regardless of the vicissisitudes of history.
In fact, it was those chronic difficulties experienced by the
Armenians that compelled the Church to extend its area of concern and
service. As the only Armenian institution with any coherent existence and
continuity during long periods of occupation, persecution and oppression,
many duties devolved upon the Church, including cultural, educational,
social, and even political. At times only the Church was available to
preserve, protect and perpetuate the culture, customs, and community.
Today, with the existence of an independent Republic of Armenia,
the focus of the Church should, and is, changing, although the basic
mission remains unchanged. It still embraces the religious, the
educational, the cultural, and the social in its continuing dedication
to the betterment of its people.
In carrying out its duties, the Prelacy has two ancillary
organizations, each with its own special area of responsibility: the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Armenian
National Education Committee (ANEC). Both are youth-oriented,
and an important part of their objectives is to prepare youth for
leadership roles. |
