According to press reports, the Holy See supported by the government is planning to build regular church in the center of Yerevan. Some clergy claim that more we have churches, more well-provided is our life. I think it’s a delusion. The process of spiritual life is conditioned not by the number of respective buildings, but by behavior, lifestyle and faith of all of us, the people. And it is very desirable that our spiritual leaders set an example for us in this respect. Unfortunately, it is not so.
I would assert it with an example, which is again related to the construction in Yerevan. It is wonderful that the Holy Mother of God Kathoghike Church (what was left by the Bolsheviks) “became visible” to Yerevan people. But, building personal residence next to it is a presumption, inappropriate snobbery for a clergyman. Perhaps, there is still time that His Holiness will give up with the intention of having a luxurious mansion in the center of the city, and almost finished building will serve as a center of spiritual cultural, a library of spiritual literature, or something like that. The Bishops should differ from their secular ‘brotherhood’ and should not consider the golden toilet as the climax of their aspirations, shouldn’t they?
Since the material, outward, surfacing, demonstrative is more important for our high priests, as well as secular authorities, rather than the inward, they believe that by building a church in Yerevan, in every step, they are meeting their commitments. Now, tell me please, what is more influential: 100 temples with the material, ‘building’ meaning of this word, or the kiss of the Pope of Rome Francisco to a man with awry skin. Of course, I, as well as you can do it to pretend, but for millions of people, it was obvious that the Catholic leader is not playing a role; he does it heartily, with faith and love, like his 13th century “prototype.”
But, as in other cases, under the spiritual atmosphere, too, I would not wait for the good example of His Holiness or the bishops. The Mother Holy Church is theirs, exactly the same way as ours. His Holiness does not force us to violate God’s commandments, or to make a dumping place around our medieval monasteries. Bishops do not oblige us to perceive the temple as merely a place for lighting a candle before eating a barbecue.
Slightly paraphrasing a well-known proverb, we can say, “Do not complain about the clergymen; learn a prayer or a chant, instead.”
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
