Catholicos Aram I proclaimed 2011 the Year of the Armenian Child

On the eve of the year, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, issued an encyclical proclaiming 2011 the Year of the Armenian Child. In his vibrant message, after making an overview of the presence of children in the Bible and the life of Church, His Holiness briefly explained the approach of current society toward children. He especially made reference to their endangerment in the world and the work of UNICEF in this respect.

The Catholicos continued by reminding the imperative of Christian and Armenian education for Armenian children. He touched separately upon the major role of the family, the school, and the church. He emphasized the role of the school in the following way:

“When we frequently touch upon the school, we always remind those in charge of our educational institutions that the calling of the Armenian school is not just providing knowledge; rather, it is giving Armenian children spiritual and moral education. This is the raison d’être, the purpose of the Armenian school. For our people, the Armenian school is and remains, along with family and church, a sacred mission whose goal is to impart Christian and Armenian education to the coming generations. Now, any retreat or concession in this regard is not acceptable under any circumstances.

The primary obligation of the Armenian teacher is educating Armenian children. Teachers are the second parents of the Armenian children. Starting from the lowest kindergarten classes, besides their parents, children face teachers and follow their lead, and even their manner of speaking and movements. At this stage, teachers set the example for the children. Their role in the children’s education is so influential that when the children grow up, they don’t forget their teachers, even in their advanced age.

We greatly appreciate the solicitous care provided by the Armenian school to the Armenian children. However, we expect more. We know full well that educating children under the present circumstances isn’t easy; it’s a serious challenge. The immediate environment of Armenian children is so full of depraved and contagious phenomena; sometimes, such scenes unfold before their eyes and they hear such expressions that they absorb them like sponges, resulting in negative consequences on the formation of their character. Therefore, it is not sufficient to merely resort to new teaching methods or just issue reminders at parent conferences. We must double our efforts in carrying out the task of educating Armenian children.”

Catholicos Aram I introduced an overall guide for the education of children, where he stressed the need for a balanced and careful approach to them. He particularly stated:

“It is necessary to educate children, while keeping them away from unhealthy environments, extravagant lifestyles, dissolute forms of behavior, perverting relationships, unpleasant conversations and various forms of violence.  
It is necessary to educate children by making them understand the need and desirability of having a loving and respectful relationship with their parents, friends, the opposite sex, the unfamiliar, and the environment.

It is necessary to educate children by inculcating in them love and zeal with regard to our spiritual, moral, cultural and national values, and traditions, our church and homeland, our pan-Armenian aspirations and dreams.
It is only with this approach and outlook that we will be able to transform children into tomorrow’s conscious human beings, true Christians, committed Armenians.”

To this end, His Holiness made an appeal “to display the utmost solicitude and zeal with regard to our children.” He suggested the following measures:

1. Parents should consider their obligation “to also give priority to their children’s Christian and Armenian education at home, along with their physical growth.”

2. Armenian schools, particularly in Early Childhood and elementary levels, should review “the education being offered, with emphasis on their religious, moral and Armenian contents, by employing such means and methods that will have appeal to our children.”

3. Parents and educators should encourage extraschool activities, including assistance to Sunday school.

4. Prelacies should give new impetus to Christian education, including the development of programs for children in the parishes.

5. Benefactors may want to consider the establishment of nurseries and kindergartens with equipment suitable for children; special funds for children literature and publications; assistance funds for sick, poor, and orphaned children.