TV programme helps Orthodox church reach communities in Armenia

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In eastern Armenia, where 11 priests serve a population of 240,000 people, a new Christian TV programme launched by the Armenian Apostolic Church and World Vision is helping the church to reach out to this predominantly Christian population. Gegharkunik Marz (region) is home to five urban and 87 rural communities and with just one priest per 21,000 people and only random TV programmes and publications on religious issues, there is a significant lack of information regarding Christian traditions and teachings–a gap that the TV programme produced by the members of the Church Youth Union is striving to fill. The vast majority of the area's population is Orthodox Christian, with Armenia among the oldest Christian nations proclaiming Christianity as the official state religion in 301 A.D., but community members here share a huge concern regarding the notable increase of the sects in the region. 'People do not often meet a priest, as 11 priests can hardly go to so many communities on a regular basis, and people's concerns often remain unattended', says Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan, the Primate of the Gegharkunik Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Members of Church Youth Union produce the programme on a voluntarily basis, while World Vision, through its Gavar Area Development Programme, supports the broadcasting on the 'Qyavar' TV channel that reaches all the communities of the marz. 'To prepare the TV programme we do research and talk to the priests. This in its turn helps us – the members of the Youth Union – to maintain our Christian identity and deepen our knowledge about the traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church', says Anna Vardanyan, the anchor of the programme. The youngsters choose the topics that are of greatest interest to the public, including the significance of church services and prayers, as well as the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church. 'The fact that the programme is being prepared by the young people gives value to it, as it reaches the public in a more popular manner', says Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan. The programme is being broadcast prime time thus capturing a larger audience and attention of the public. Some seven programmes have already been broadcast and community people already notice positive outcomes. 'The number of the attendants of the Sunday Liturgy has notably grown; I have talked to the newcomers and the most of them say that it's due to this very programme that raised their interest and brought them to the church', says Tamara Hakobyan, 22, former member of the Youth Union. 'We support the Church in its mission of providing Christian education. We will continue with the initiative as it turned into a very productive tool', says Karine Harutyunyan, World Vision Armenia Church and Government Relations Manager. The Armenian Apostolic Church is one of the original Oriental Orthodox churches. About 95% of the Armenian population is Orthodox Christian.