Taking into account the need to impart a more regular and organized nature to the process of teaching Christian doctrine within the communities of our Ordinariate, and guided by the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, specifically Canons 617-626, I have decreed to establish the “Committee for Supporting the Teaching of Christian Doctrine.”

The functions of the Committee are:

-To support the more effective and regular teaching of Christian doctrine in communities for all age groups of the faithful;

-To support the spiritual and professional formation of religious educators and organizers of spiritual events through courses, spiritual education, and other initiatives;

-To organize the preparation of religious textbooks and other auxiliary materials, and to ensure their accessibility;

-To coordinate the development of a general and supportive guide, methods, and strategy for teaching Christian doctrine, as well as to support their implementation in the communities;

-To develop various programs that can help increase interest in Christian doctrine;

-To contribute toward founding an Armenian Catholic center, school, and university for Christian education.

✠ KEVORK NORADOUNGUIAN

Titular Archbishop of Sebastia,

Ordinary of Armenian Catholics in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe

January 16, 2026

Appointment of the Coordinator of the Committee for Supporting the Teaching of Christian Doctrine

Taking into account the need to impart a more regular and organized nature to the process of teaching Christian doctrine within the communities of our Ordinariate, and guided by the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, specifically Canons 617-626, I hereby appoint Fr. Hovsep Galstyan as the Coordinator of the Committee for Supporting the Teaching of Christian Doctrine.

The functions of the Committee Coordinator are:

-To form the Committee for Supporting the Teaching of Christian Doctrine by proposing candidate members for the confirmation of the Ordinary;

-To organize the work of the Committee for Supporting the Teaching of Christian Doctrine through meetings, consultations, and the adoption of joint decisions, subject to the authorization and confirmation of the Ordinary;

-To develop programs related to the teaching of Christian doctrine and to facilitate their implementation through unified actions, events, and meetings at the local level within the communities of the Ordinariate;

-To present reports on the activities performed during clergy meetings and upon the request of the Ordinary.

✠ KEVORK NORADOUNGUIAN

Titular Archbishop of Sebastia,

Ordinary of Armenian Catholics in Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe

January 16, 2026

Strategy for Supporting Christian Teaching for 5 years

Vision

More than half of the faithful in all communities of the Ordinariate will possess sufficient foundational knowledge regarding the main truths of Christian doctrine and will strive in every way to live according to Christian values, aspiring to holiness.

Immediate Working Objective

To support the organization of regular and continuous teaching of Christian doctrine to children and adults in all parishes of the Ordinariate through well-prepared priests, religious sisters, and lay teachers or leaders, utilizing modern and effective methods derived from age-specific and local characteristics and needs.

General Description of Actions Planned to Achieve This Objective

1. Organize the spiritual and professional training of religious educators and leaders through courses, spiritual education, retraining, consultative meetings, study visits, and other initiatives;

2. Ensure the cooperation of parish priests and the prerequisites for leadership in religious education within the communities;

3. Organize the preparation, publication, and accessibility of religious textbooks, online resources, and other auxiliary materials;

4. Develop a general and supportive guide and methods for teaching Christian doctrine, and support their implementation in the process of religious education within communities;

5. Develop and implement various composite programs that can help increase interest in Christian doctrine or create conditions for the effective parallel organization of religious education—for example, professional clubs, homework preparation programs, sports and cultural event programs, backyard and joint camps, pilgrimages, excursions, etc.;

6. Encourage children and adults to participate in Altar Service to increase liturgical knowledge and discover potential spiritual vocations;

7. Lay the groundwork to found an Armenian Catholic center, school, and university for Christian education.

Chancellery of the Armenian Catholic Ordinariate

January 28, 2026