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Diocesan legate meets with Palestinian leader

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  • Diocesan legate meets with Palestinian leader

    PRESS OFFICE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
    Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
    Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.armenianchurch.org

    May 31, 2005
    ___________________

    DIOCESE DISCUSSES RIGHTS OF MIDEAST CHRISTIANS WITH PALISTIANIAN
    AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ABBAS

    The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) focused on
    rights and security for Middle East Christians during a meeting between
    American religious leaders and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud
    Abbas in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 26, 2005.

    Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer,
    represented the Armenian Church in the discussions organized by the
    National Council of Churches (NCC). He was one of 15 religious leaders
    to attend the meeting.

    "I expressed our continued concern and desire for peace in the Middle
    East and justice for both the Israelis and Palestinians," Bishop
    Aykazian said. "And we also talked about the security of Christians in
    the Holy Land. We know the numbers of Christians in the Holy Land
    diminish every day, so we are extremely concerned about their fate and
    their well being."

    Earlier this year, Bishop Aykazian was part of a delegation of American
    religious leaders who traveled to the Middle East to meet with Israeli
    and Palestinian leadership about the need to do more to protect the
    area's Christian minority. That trip was orchestrated by the group
    Churches for Middle East Peace.

    During the recent meeting in Washington, Bishop Aykazian said the
    Palestinian leader told the religious leaders he was grateful for their
    efforts to bring about peace in the region.

    Also at the meeting was Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the
    NCC.

    "We were excited about the opportunity to meet with President Abbas and
    also look forward to the day when we will be able to meet with (Israeli)
    Prime Minister Sharon," Edgar said in a written statement. "It is
    extremely important that we continue to work and pray for peace in the
    Holy Land. In spite of the conditions we remain hopeful that peace is
    possible."

    ASKING FOR SUPPORT

    During his earlier visit to the Holy Land, Bishop Vicken reported that
    Christian leaders asked American Christians not to forget about their
    plight. One such awareness-raising effort was the meeting with
    President Abbas.

    Also, the Christian leaders asked for economic support and solidarity
    from tourists. Visitors to the Holy Land not only spend money and
    support the local economy, but also shows the beleaguered Christians
    they are not alone.

    The Armenian presence in the Holy Land is ancient and illustrious. The
    Armenian Quarter in the Old City has long been a spiritual center of the
    Armenian Church.

    Relatedly, the St. Vartan Cathedral "Avaks" senior-citizen group is
    planning a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this summer, from August 23 to
    31. For more information, contact Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
    Vartan Cathedral, by calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 53.

    -- 5/31/05

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