On December 18-19, 2024, under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Oshagan Gulgulian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq, the pastors of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Churches of Iraq gathered together for a conference of prayer, discussion, and education. The gathering of priests began on December 18th with prayers at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Baghdad. The priests, who serve in various churches across Iraq, then met with His Grace, engaging in an open discussion on several church-related matters. After the discussion, a dinner was held for all attendees.
On December 19th, a spiritual and educational meeting was held at the Armenian Diocese in Baghdad, chaired by of His Grace, Bishop Oshagan Gulgulian. The meeting opened with a joint prayer followed by five sessions, each with a specific topic followed by discussion.
First Session:
His Grace, Bishop Oshagan Gulgulian gave an opening speech, emphasizing the importance of such gatherings. He pointed out that they provide an opportunity for unity, the exchange of experiences and opinions, and discussions on various issues facing the Church. He highlighted the challenges the Church faces and the routine nature of liturgical practices.
Second Session:
Reverend Father Hagopos Isahagian gave a presentation on “The Rituals of the Armenian Church,” focusing on preserving the sanctity and uniformity of Armenian rituals to maintain canonical liturgical order.
Third Session:
Reverend Father Sebouh Baghdasarian gave a presentation on “The Duties and Rights of the Priest and the Language of Armenian Rituals.” He discussed the role of the clergy as leaders and role models of Christian life and emphasized the importance of preserving the Armenian liturgical language.
Fourth Session:
Reverend Father Ardag Merzoian gave a presentation on “The Theological Foundations of Church Service.” In his talk, he addressed the physical aspects of service in the Church and the need to address various issues in order to serve the congregation effectively.
Fifth Session:
The final session was chaired by the former Primate of the Armenian Church of Iraq, His Eminence Archbishop Dr. Avak Asadourian. He spoke about the grace of the Holy Spirit, the unity of the Church, and the importance of love in all things.
Concluding the conference, prayers were held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Oshagan Gulgulian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq. In the evening, a farewell communal dinner was hosted, attended by the participants and members of the Central Administrative Committee. This gathering provided an important opportunity for the clergy to come together, share their experiences, and discuss key issues facing the Armenian Orthodox Church in Iraq, fostering unity and strengthening the spiritual bonds between the clergy.
