Page 61 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

62 The Armenian Church

– The Central Council, which is elected
by the National General Assembly, is the
executive body. It consists of two councils,
the Religious Council and the Lay Council,
each having equal membership; their man-
date lasts to the next assembly. The Religious
Council deals with matters pertaining to
theology, liturgy, inter-church and inter-
religious relations, issues related to church
and society, Christian education, ministerial
formation, youth, women, pastoral questions,
and socio-ethical issues. The Lay Council's
agenda mainly includes administrative and
financial matters. The two councils may
organize joint meetings to discuss the whole
life of the Church, particularly emergency
issues and concerns and projects related to
the Catholicosate. In the Holy See of St.
Etchmiadzin, the Supreme Spiritual Council,
which is appointed by the catholicos and
comprises equal numbers of clergy and laity,
is equivalent to the Central Council. It deals
with general church affairs.
The diocese and parish follow the same
system of administration and decision-
making.
– The Diocesan National Representative
Assembly is the legislative body of the dio-
cese. The criteria for lay and clergy repre-
sentation is the same as that in the National
General Assembly. In some dioceses, the lay
delegates are elected directly by the people,