Apastoral letter, often simply called a pastoral, is an open letter addressed by a bishop to the clergyorlaity of a diocese or to both, containing general admonition, instruction or consolation, or directions for behaviour in particular circumstances.[1] In most episcopal church bodies,[clarification needed] clerics are often required to read out pastoral letters of superior bishops to their congregations.[citation needed]
In the Catholic Church, such letters are also sent out regularly at particular ecclesiastical seasons, particularly at the beginning of fasts.[1]
In the non-episcopal Protestant churches a pastoral letter is any open letter addressed by a pastor to his congregation, more especially to one customarily issued at certain seasons, for example, by the moderator of a Presbyterian assembly or the chairman of a CongregationalorBaptist union.[1]
The Armenian term for pastoral letter is kondak, also translated as encyclical, statement, or decree.[2][3][4][5]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Pastoral Letter". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 898.
Khrimian, M. 1907 "Kondak." [Pastoral Letter.]
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