Burbank, CA – The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America has establishment the Armenian Church Theological Society (A.C.T.S.), a new initiative aimed at fostering theological thinking, dialogue, scholarship, and collaboration among scholars, clergy, and laity.
“One of the main purposes of the Armenian Church Theological Society (ACTS) is to create a bridge between the centuries-extending rich ‘theological mind’ of the Armenian Church and theological thinking on contemporary issues facing our communities today,” explained Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese.
The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in July of this year launched a visionary long-term institutional innovation initiative under the leadership of the Primate. The ultimate vision of this innovative project is to make Christian faith and Armenian culture living experience for communities in the western United States.
A.C.T.S. is one of the components of the Institutional Innovation of the Western Diocese. The inaugural meeting was held on October 7 at the Diocesan headquarters, presided by the Primate and chaired by Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, a scholar and head of the innovation project.
In the initial phase, the invitees to the theological society were limited to California-based scholars and clergy. Leading scholars from Fresno took part virtually, including emeritus Prof. Abraham Terian of St. Nersess Seminary, professors Segio La Porta and Barlow Der Mgrdichian from California State Univesity Fresno. Others, such as Prof. Peter Cowe of UCLA and Prof. David Zakarian of Fresno are members but could not attend the inaugural meeting.
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The aim of the new society is to provide a dynamic platform for theological reflection that resonates with contemporary issues, while deeply rooted in the rich theological tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
A.C.T.S. will facilitate the exchange of knowledge on key subjects such as theology, ecclesiology, liturgy, and pastoral care, through discussions, seminars, workshops, and international conferences.
In the next phase of the establishment of the organization, scholars and experts in other states and internationally will be invited to join A.C.T.S. An Executive Committee has been formed by the inaugural assembly, which includes Peter Cowe, Sergio La Porta, Haig Madoyan, Norayr Poghosyan, Vahe Sargsyan, Hratch Tchilingirian, and Abraham Terian. The Primate Archbishop Hovnan is the President of the society.
At the inaugural meeting, a simple criteria for membership was determined. For clergy membership, the minimum requirement is a Masters degree in Theology, Religious Studies, or Divinity; for lay members, the minimum requirement is at least a few publications on Armenian theology, religious or related subjects.
“We envision this new society as a forum for theological inquiry and discussion, one that would invigorate both academic and pastoral efforts across the Western Diocese and beyond,” said Dr. Tchilingirian, Chair of A.C.T.S Executive Committee. “Our goal is to ensure that the Armenian Church’s theology and traditions continue to enrich contemporary life while providing a space for theological insights and reflections.”
In the near future, announcements will be made about symposia and a major annual conference.
