Page 51 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

52 The Armenian Church

New hopes and promises
The fall of the Soviet Union and the
restoration of the independence of Armenia
in 1991, on a small part of historical Ar-
menia, created a new situation marked by
new hopes and challenges. These epoch-
making changes destroyed the ideological
and political walls separating Armenia and
the diaspora, and the diaspora turned with
full energy and hope towards Armenia. It
marshaled its human and material resources
to aid Armenia in its state-building process. It
also gave significant support to the efforts of
Armenians in Nagorno-Karabagh to regain
their self-determination.
In Armenia, most of the old monasteries
and churches have been renovated, new
churches have been built, Christian edu-
cation has been re-organized, new clergy has
been ordained, and, thus, the church life
has gained momentum and vitality. After a
period of stagnation, the Armenian Church
in Armenia is regaining its strength and
integrity and is struggling to redefine and
restore its place and role in society. Actually,
the Armenian Church is confronted with
huge challenges. In Armenia, it is called
to address the repercussions of the growing
penetration of religious sects, as well as
of secularism, by giving a new thrust to
evangelism and diakonia. In the diaspora,