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: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

March 29, 2004
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PRIMATE JOINS APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE FOUNDATION IN HONORING LEADER

Recently, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), was joined by other Diocesan leaders
in attending a luncheon hosted by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation to
honor His All Holiness Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New
Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch.

The luncheon, in New York City on March 17, was on the occasion of the 10th
anniversary of the Peace and Tolerance Conference that resulted in the
Bosphorus Declaration of 1994, which condemned violence in the name of
religion.

The Primate serves on the board of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an
interfaith coalition of business and religious leaders working around the
globe to promote peace, tolerance, and resolution of ethnic conflicts. He
delivered the blessing at the luncheon.

“Bless those who labor in the name of religious freedom, moral unity, and
peace for all your children,” the Primate said.

Joining the Primate were Fr. Vazken Karayan, pastor of the Holy Cross Church
of Union City, NJ; Dr. Sam Mikaelian, executive director of the Diocesan
Center; and Kevork Toroyan, chairman of the Diocesan Legate’s Committee.

Patriarch Bartholomew I was in New York City for a week of meetings and
events. The Primate met with him on several occasions as a leader in the
ecumenical dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox
communities.

— 3/29/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, delivers the blessing at a luncheon honoring His All Holiness
Bartholomew I at the Minskoff Cultural Center in New York City on March 17,
2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): A photographer takes a photo of His All Holiness
Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical
Patriarch; Archbishop Demetrios, of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian; and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, founder of
the Appeal of Conscience Foundation.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dr. Sam Mikaelian, executive director of the Eastern
Diocese; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian; and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, founder of
the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, at a luncheon on March 17 hosted by the
foundation on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Peace and
Tolerance Conference and the Bosphorus Declaration of 1994.

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