Why Don’t We Evangelize? By Vahe Sargsyan

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Christ’s command is clear. The Great Commission is not a suggestion—it is the heartbeat of the Church. And yet, when we look at ourselves honestly as Armenian Orthodox Christians, we must admit: we rarely speak about our faith outside the walls of the church. We hesitate to invite, to share, to witness. The question stares us in the face: Why don’t we evangelize?
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Why Don’t We?
For many, evangelization feels like a “Protestant thing.” We think: “We have the sacraments, the Divine Liturgy, the tradition—why should we go around talking about our faith?” Others feel embarrassed, afraid of rejection, or convinced that religion is too “private” to be shared. Sometimes, let us admit it, we simply lack zeal. The fire of Christ burns low, and so our lips remain closed.

But here lies the danger: silence is not neutral. When the Gospel is not spoken, it fades from memory. When the faith is not shared, the next generation grows up without it.
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Why We Must
The Church Fathers never imagined a Christian life without witness. St. John Chrysostom declared: “There is nothing colder than a Christian who does not seek to save others.” If we truly love Christ, how can we not speak of Him? If we claim to love our neighbor, how can we withhold from them the source of eternal life?

Evangelism is not about standing on street corners shouting. It is about love—sharing the good news that has transformed us. It is about light—letting it shine before others (Matthew 5:16). It is about obedience—to Christ Himself, who sends us out into the world.
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How We Begin
1. Live the Faith Publicly – The first sermon we preach is our life. Let your words, work, and kindness point to Christ.
2. Speak Naturally – Share how prayer strengthens you, how the Eucharist nourishes you, how God has carried you through hardship. This is not a debate—it is testimony.
3. Invite – Ask a friend to church. Invite a colleague to a parish event. You plant the seed; God gives the growth.
4. Know Your Faith – Be ready to answer questions. Study Scripture, learn the meaning of our sacraments, and read the Fathers. A well-formed Christian can speak with confidence.
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A Direct Call

Beloved brothers and sisters, our Armenian Church survived genocide, exile, and dispersion not by silence, but by witness. Our ancestors carried the Gospel across oceans and into new lands. Will we be the generation that keeps it hidden? Or will we rise to Christ’s command with boldness?

The world is hungry for truth. The world is searching for meaning. The world is waiting for Christ. And He has chosen you and me to carry His message.

Let us not be silent any longer. Let us speak, let us invite, let us evangelize. For as St. Paul asks: “How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).

The time is now. Let us go and share the Good News.
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- Vahe Sargsyan holds a graduate degree in Theology from Yerevan State University. For over 16 years he has been engaged in Religious Education and now serves in the Media Department of the Western Diocese, where he produces religious content.
His writings focus on faith, heritage, and everyday Christian life of the Armenian Orthodox Christian community.