Most recent news | Released Friday, August 29, 2008
ARCHBISHOP AYKAZIAN LEADS NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES DELEGATION ON MIDDLE EAST VISIT
Group Meets With Religious and Political Leaders, Focuses on State of Christian Minorities in the Region
Diocesan Legate and President of the National Council of Churches Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and a delegation of representatives from the NCC recently returned from a visit to the Middle East where they focused on promoting peace and solidarity with Christian minorities in the region.
Accompanying Archbishop Aykazian on the 12-day trip was NCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon and United Church of Christ Area Executive for Middle East and Europe Rev. Dr. Peter Makari.
The group departed on July 21 and traveled to Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria as part of a new NCC initiative to foster peace and to extend support to Christian communities in the Middle East. They led discussions with Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders throughout the region and met with President Bashar Assad of Syria and Prince Hassan of Jordan.
The NCC acknowledged the efforts of the Middle East Council of Churches in assisting Iraqi refugees and urged religious and political leaders to work toward stability and mutual understanding in a part of the world that has long been fraught with ethnic, religious and political conflicts.
“Our biggest concern is the dwindling number of Christians in the Middle East,” Archbishop Aykazian said. “The conversation with Prince Hassan of Jordan was extremely important, as well as our meetings with Israeli leaders, especially Rabbi David Rosen and church leaders in the Middle East.”
In Israel, the delegation also met with His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Aris Shirvanian to review the state of Christian communities in the Holy Land. In addition, they spoke of the financial difficulties the Patriarchate is experiencing and the much-needed construction projects the Patriarchate hopes to undertake in the coming years, and heard updates about the Patriarchate’s seminary and the St. Tarkmanchatz School.
The delegation’s visit to Lebanon included meetings with Sunni and Shiite leaders as well as Mgrdich Karagozian of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Lebanon and Bishop Nareg Alemezian. NCC representatives also conducted meetings with representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church in Beirut. Discussions focused on the political situation in Beirut and recent church activities in the area.
Traveling to Jordan, the NCC representatives spoke with Archbishop Vendiktos of the Greek Orthodox Church about the shrinking Christian presence in the country. In Syria, the delegation met with Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, and spoke about the recent wave of Armenians immigrants moving to Syria from Iraq. About 500 Armenian families from Iraq are now living in Syria.
Before returning to the United States, Archbishop Aykazian and Dr. Kinnamon lectured at the Haigazian University in Beirut as part of an event organized by the University and the Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue. Among attendees were members of the clergy, diplomats and representatives of various interest groups.
During the address, Dr. Kinnamon stressed that the mission of churches "is not simply to focus on spiritual things, and eternal life only, but to be a credible sign and instrument of social transformation towards the day God's will is more fully done."
"Salvation is not simply an individual quest to be saved out of the world, but it's a communal effort in response to God, to build a better society on Earth," he added.
Dr. Kinnamon said the NCC, too, should strive to play a greater role in supporting programs that uphold peace and justice. The NCC aims to raise awareness about Christian communities across the globe and to improve ecumenical cooperation on spiritual and social initiatives.
The delegation will report its findings to the NCC Governing board in September. During the Board’s meeting, participants will discuss steps the organization can take to address some of the challenges Christians face in the Middle East.
NCC General Secretary Dr. Michael Kinnamon and NCC President Archbishop Vicken Aykazian meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad.