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What's Happening In French Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - Saturday, 08 February 2014, 15:26
After the resignation of Archbishop Norvan Zakaryan, Primate of the
Armenian Diocese of France, three candidates run in the election of
the Armenian Diocese of France: Archbishop Vigen Aikazian of the North
America Eastern Coast, the pastor of Nice Grigor Khachatryan and Abba
Zatik Avetikyan, the acting Patriarchal Delegate of Belgium. However,
Archbishop Vigen has suddenly withdrawn, and the election has been
postponed. We interviewed Pastor Grigor Khachatryan.
Is the reason of Archbishop Aikazyan known? Could you explain what is happening?
According to the Armenian press based in Paris and Istanbul,
Archbishop Vigen has resigned but nothing has been announced
officially. As a member of the Diocesan council, I can say that soon
the Diocese will make an official statement. I don't know the reasons.
There are no complications. The Diocese continues its operation and
preparing for the upcoming elections despite difficulties, including
financial. The Diocese does not have sources of income and being a
young Diocese encounters such issues. The parish of Paris's Saint John
Baptist Church lends a hand to the Diocese.
Father Grigor, Archbishop Norvan is said to have accrued debts. What
debts are those and what sources of income are possible to find?
The income of a diocese or parish comes from donations of believers.
France was affected by the global economic crisis, and donations
decreased accordingly or altogether stopped. The Diocese is a young
structure, almost totally unknown to the French Armenian believers,
therefore it does not get material support. All the parishes take care
of the needs of the Diocese within their possibilities. To raise money
for the Diocese's needs it is first of all necessary to present the
activities and programs of the Diocese to everyone and, I think, in
this case the Armenian believers will not leave their Diocese in need.
The Diocese needs to pay monthly salaries, has other needs. As I said,
for the time being the parish of Paris provides the biggest share of
assistance, this is not debt but borrowing.
Do you think the Armenian community of France will accept the next
leader or will the next leader encounter resistance?
Archbishop Norvan has supported the Diocese with his advice over these
few months, and I think that the archbishop will help the next leader
to gain the support of the community.
Father Grigor, is there any change in the life of the Armenian
community of Nice? Does the community remain divided?
Representatives of sister churches attended the Christmas Liturgy, the
deputy chairman of the District Council Mr. Patrick and others were
present. This year Mr. Vanclaire, the deputy governor, attended the
traditional Christmas dinner, so the situation is the same but there
are signs that they will come to terms, and the community will return
to its peaceful life.
When will the problem be resolved? The judicial process has finished,
but the problem persists.
I am sure that everyone will go for reconciliation and forget about
insults to attend to our painful issue, the recognition of the
Genocide. Let us not forget that we are facing the 100th anniversary
of the Genocide and it is impossible to do something significant when
we are fragmented and split.
Father Grigor, are you ready to take on the duties of leader when
there are so many unresolved issues in Nice?
Yes, I am, and the problem of Nice will be resolved soon for the
benefit of our nation and church!
When approximately is the election expected?
It will be known in mid-February.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/31888#sthash.8hHYJmlx.dpuf
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - Saturday, 08 February 2014, 15:26
After the resignation of Archbishop Norvan Zakaryan, Primate of the
Armenian Diocese of France, three candidates run in the election of
the Armenian Diocese of France: Archbishop Vigen Aikazian of the North
America Eastern Coast, the pastor of Nice Grigor Khachatryan and Abba
Zatik Avetikyan, the acting Patriarchal Delegate of Belgium. However,
Archbishop Vigen has suddenly withdrawn, and the election has been
postponed. We interviewed Pastor Grigor Khachatryan.
Is the reason of Archbishop Aikazyan known? Could you explain what is happening?
According to the Armenian press based in Paris and Istanbul,
Archbishop Vigen has resigned but nothing has been announced
officially. As a member of the Diocesan council, I can say that soon
the Diocese will make an official statement. I don't know the reasons.
There are no complications. The Diocese continues its operation and
preparing for the upcoming elections despite difficulties, including
financial. The Diocese does not have sources of income and being a
young Diocese encounters such issues. The parish of Paris's Saint John
Baptist Church lends a hand to the Diocese.
Father Grigor, Archbishop Norvan is said to have accrued debts. What
debts are those and what sources of income are possible to find?
The income of a diocese or parish comes from donations of believers.
France was affected by the global economic crisis, and donations
decreased accordingly or altogether stopped. The Diocese is a young
structure, almost totally unknown to the French Armenian believers,
therefore it does not get material support. All the parishes take care
of the needs of the Diocese within their possibilities. To raise money
for the Diocese's needs it is first of all necessary to present the
activities and programs of the Diocese to everyone and, I think, in
this case the Armenian believers will not leave their Diocese in need.
The Diocese needs to pay monthly salaries, has other needs. As I said,
for the time being the parish of Paris provides the biggest share of
assistance, this is not debt but borrowing.
Do you think the Armenian community of France will accept the next
leader or will the next leader encounter resistance?
Archbishop Norvan has supported the Diocese with his advice over these
few months, and I think that the archbishop will help the next leader
to gain the support of the community.
Father Grigor, is there any change in the life of the Armenian
community of Nice? Does the community remain divided?
Representatives of sister churches attended the Christmas Liturgy, the
deputy chairman of the District Council Mr. Patrick and others were
present. This year Mr. Vanclaire, the deputy governor, attended the
traditional Christmas dinner, so the situation is the same but there
are signs that they will come to terms, and the community will return
to its peaceful life.
When will the problem be resolved? The judicial process has finished,
but the problem persists.
I am sure that everyone will go for reconciliation and forget about
insults to attend to our painful issue, the recognition of the
Genocide. Let us not forget that we are facing the 100th anniversary
of the Genocide and it is impossible to do something significant when
we are fragmented and split.
Father Grigor, are you ready to take on the duties of leader when
there are so many unresolved issues in Nice?
Yes, I am, and the problem of Nice will be resolved soon for the
benefit of our nation and church!
When approximately is the election expected?
It will be known in mid-February.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/31888#sthash.8hHYJmlx.dpuf