(Múgúrdich I Vanétzee, Catholicos of All Armenians 1892 –1907)

Printed in Armenian at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadsin, 1894

Excerpts translated by Dér Stépanos Dingilian, Ph.D.

Chapter 5: Home and Family

Therefore, the pillars of the family life are considered the father and the mother. How surprisingly beautiful are these two mustard seeds in the garden of marriage that according to the Gospel parable, gradually grow, become a large tree and spread their numerous branches throughout the whole world. For this reason, from the family (emerges) a culture, from a culture a variety of nations, and from these the totality of human codes and standards, and from which the complete global communication and cooperation. It can be easily concluded that our whole set of social relationships and structures are based upon the pedestal of marriage and family. [pp 205-6]

The home and the family represent the boundaries of a small kingdom, upon the throne of which are seated the parents: The father as the king and the mother as the queen. (From that throne) they guide the remaining family members. In this royal palace, there is no police, no sword, no dictatorship, (and) no abuse of power. Instead of all these, there is the father’s love and the mother’s courage, and as a teaching model and the wise counselor, the living example of the parents and their relationship.

This exemplary relationship is so important and impressionable that just as clearly as light passes through a window, in the same vivid manner, this example (of a living relationship) is passed onto (the spirit of the children) and becomes the initial pattern by which they interact in social and cultural relationships. After this, the example of the parents begins to spread and propagate one (relationship) at a time. As a result, through the good and bad examples of the family, the life of the general population is either improved or worsened, is built up or destroyed in the face of temptations. These examples either remain alive in the world or even though they are alive, they die and disappear from the face of civilization. [pp. 206-7]

People and nations do not live by bread alone. Instead, it is through the upright moral life that they rise and progress. It is the family that cradles this vital (moral) life.

Pay attention and I will describe it to you.

If a people will progress, its first step has to be within the boundaries of the family life. If it is to be enlightened, its light must come from the lantern of the family life. If it is to be united, its spirit and bonds are that of the family. If it is to be strong, its strength is that of the family. If it is to become prosperous, its treasure and treasurer is the family. If its home and table are to be bountiful, the productive source is the family. If the rivers of paradise are to flow through its centers, the source is the family of the paradise. If its vats are full of wine (and) it drinks and is merry, then the fruit giving vineyard is the family. If it grows from day to day with many children, its foreparent is the family. If it wants to prepare its children as civilized refined citizens, its first university of cultural education is the family. If it wants to live happily, it must believe that the source of the joyous life is the family. If it wants to inherit heaven after the earth by keeping its faith and Church, yes the keeper of those Holy Traditions in their purest and unadulterated form is the altar of the family. The treasure, which the Gospel (describes) as the undiscovered pearl among the investment opportunities of this world, [St. Matthew 13:44-50] which is recognized and remains equally effective in meeting halls of governments as well as in the knowledge centers of universities, is retained in the family.

Now let us look at the contrasting picture, and let us observe with wisdom, that the proven unhappy society still copies its weaknesses from its family life, and exposes it to the whole of humanity. Let me demonstrate it to you.

If a society falls short of its potential, the source of its internal corruption is from the family. If it is headed towards destruction, its path is opened through the family. If one has been overwhelmed and brought to a halt because of the external enemies (and pressures), that is because his closest enemy (and source of stress) is in his own household, his own family. If one does not have a direction in life, his or her chaos and confusion is from the family. If the children will go on starving in a lamenting manner even in a society that is abundant by resources, then that is proof that those who have been tilling the ground of the family life have not done a sufficient job. If a society remains without an organization and spends its resources and treasures without any forethought plans, who does not know that the starting point of economic wasteful spending is the family? If the children of a nation are not civilized and courageous, then that generation has become a slave by the weakening and moral corruption within the family. If (a society’s) children and youth are infected by the bodily desires, then their death and grave digger is the family. After all, if one leaves society, religion, faith, Church, removes God’s blessings and commandments from one’s heart, and turns towards the ways that prevailed during the Flood, and lives an arrogant life, you can be sure that corruption is due to the lifestyle of those who follow in Cain’s way of life.

There is still a great deal more to be said and described . . . but let the parents study, seek out and discover that without the fatherly and motherly discipline, it is impossible to form a nation and a society with a positive outlook, (with) a stable and progressively improving life. Because in all that we build and form, we must recognize that the basis of that creation is the family. And it is the family who creates and propagates that graceful and worthy element, which then prepares a society and a nation. I am speaking to you, the hand which plans the discipline and education within the household where the family resides: It is true that the public schools provide light and knowledge, but the responsibility of the virtuous and worthy life belongs only to one’s own family. [pp 208-9]

Let us then follow and believe that this is the only hope for the survival of the Armenian family. Let each family carry this wood of discipline, so that it may protect it just as the Wood of Life that Christ carried. [p 209]

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