After the January 10 service in Antelias St. Gregory the Illuminator Church (Lebanon), Archbishop Komitas Ohanian read the Encyclical Letter by His Holiness Aram I declaring 2010 year of Armenian Women, press release by Communication and Information Department of Cilicia Catholicosate says.

His Holiness calls Armenian men and women to reconsider the role of women in families and society, referring to the Old Testament: “God created men and women in His image, after His likeness (Genesis 1:26); thus, Aram I clarifies, women and men are equal in the eyes of God and partners in caring for the created world,” the letter reads. In addition, the dignitary quotes New Testament: “the 'New Eve', Mary the Mother of God, plays an important role in the history of salvation,” the pastoral goes on.

Perorating, Aram I exhorts “all Armenians to reconsider the nature of women-men partnership in the Armenian community, its organizations and the family, in view of the moral values taught by the Church and internationally endorsed documents,” the release concludes.

The pastoral letter will be read in all Armenian churches worldwide within the next weeks.

Compiled from: www.news.am
01.12.2010