Pastor of Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Barsegh Vardapet Pilavchyan, about the Armenian community in Czech Republic.
In an interview with “Aravot”, pastor of Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Basil Vardapet Pilavchyan, qualifies the Armenian community in the Czech Republic capable and perspective. As for his pastorate, no matter where you are in the world, it is very easy to serve God if you love your job. The priest was appointed 10 years ago and recalls when he arrived in Prague, he did not know anyone, he just had a number of an Armenian man whom he did not know either. On October 11, 2015, the Catholic Church of Holy Spirit (built in the 14th century) in Prague was passed to the parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator of the Armenian Apostolic Church for timeless use. The priest was happy to note that the Armenian community formed by our compatriots of the post-Soviet period is close to the church and their roots, he says there are also Armenians that are not close to the church but are trying to do something to bring the people to the church.
According to the priest, the Armenian community of the Czech Republic is composed of persons high with intellectual capacities, there are university students, numerous artists and businessmen. “We have an Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Prague for about 5 years, and in cooperation with the Embassy, we have achieved considerable success, the “Orer” magazine is operating, whose editor-in-chief is our friend Hakob Asatryan, we have an Armenian Saturday school, which is sponsored by the benefactors of the church, there is a Youth Union, several companies: Czech-Armenian cultural Association, “Urartu” Union, “Armenia” club, etc. In short, we are working successfully in different directions, we are trying to consolidate the capable forces of the Czech-Armenians: intellectual and business, to jointly solve all the problems,” said the poster of Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak. We were curious to know when he last performed a wedding and baptizing ceremony in the Armenians Church, Father Barsegh said that last year, there were two baptism and one wedding ceremonies in the Holy Spirit Church, moreover, the wedding was scheduled for December 25. He hopes that those who were married and baptized must remember they were wed and baptized in the Holy Spirit Church in Prague. Our interlocutor also said that in the last 4-5 years, they have established good relations with the Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka, and thanks to him, the Holy Spirit located in the center of the Prague is passed to the Armenian Apostolic Church for timeless use. “It was quite a difficult task, seemingly impossible, they all were amazed how the Church located in the center of Prague was passed to us.
We express our gratitude to Cardinal Duka that his Armenophile attitude gave such results. Incidentally, we also have an Armenian cross-stone in Prague, the opening of which was attended by the President of Armenia, and the location of the cross-stone was also provided by the Cardinal Duka.” We asked Father Barsegh whether there were Armenians that do not know any Armenian word, but kindly visit the Armenian Church. The priest replied that they were mostly the young people of the new generation and noted that in that regard, the situation in the Czech Republic is better than in the Armenian Communities in Germany where the Armenian language is weaker. We asked whether there was a case of a mixed marriage and wed in the Armenian Church. “80 percent of marriages are mixed, and they are usually performed in Armenian Apostolic Church. Since we already see established situations, and it is the case that the couple should definitely get married, we are trying, at least, to keep them bound to our Church, we cannot lay a strict attitude towards them, otherwise, they would avoid both the community and the Church. Our warm attitude allows people to communicate with us more, remain Armenians and preserve the Armenianhood.” Since it often happens in the Diaspora that the discrepancies of the traditional political parties and the organizations adversely affect the Armenian community, we wondered whether there is a similar situation in the Czech Republic, “Our community is very happy that we do not have political parties,” said Father Barsegh with a smile. At the end of the interview, he wished to see our homeland so clean that no Armenian leaves the homeland, the borders are in peace, no injuries to the soldiers, jobs for the citizens and live in prosperity, and the “outsiders” support them as much as possible for the prosperity of Armenia.
Gohar HAKOBYAN,
Prague-Yerevan, “Aravot” daily
