Apastoral letter, often simply called apastoral, is anopen letter addressed by abishop to theclergy orlaity of adiocese 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 theCatholic Church, such letters are also sent out regularly at particularecclesiastical seasons, particularly at the beginning offasts.[1]
In the non-episcopalProtestantchurches a pastoral letter is any open letter addressed by apastor to his congregation, more especially to one customarily issued at certain seasons, for example, by the moderator of aPresbyterian assembly or the chairman of aCongregational orBaptist union.[1]
The Armenian term for pastoral letter iskondak, 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 thepublic 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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