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:

July 20, 2005
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TRIP TO ARMENIA BOOSTS TIES BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), traveled throughout
Armenia with a delegation from the U.S. Episcopalian church, headed
by that organization’s Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

They were in Armenia from July 3 to 9, 2005. During the trip, the
delegation met with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, toured historic Armenian Church sites,
and had a meeting with America’s ambassador to Armenia, John Evans.
They also talked with ecumenical leaders in Armenia and officials
with the Armenian Bible Society.

They also attended a lunch at the summer residence of the Catholicos,
Purakan, to which the Catholicos had invited all the diocesan bishops
in Armenia and leading clergy.

“The Episcopalian Church has been one of the closest churches to
the Armenians in the last 100 years, and they have always had a very
close relationship with Armenians. They have always opened their doors
for the Armenians,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Eastern Diocese. “When we came here after the Genocide of 1915, the
only churches that opened and accepted us were the Episcopalians.
The rest completely refused the Armenians, so that friendship has
been continuing.”

This was the first visit to Armenia by Bishop Griswold. Bishop
Aykazian said he seemed impressed by the people of Armenia and their
strong faith.

“He said that this, from all his trips, was the most successful and
the best trip,” the legate said.

The trip was important to not just continue the historically strong
friendship, but to assure that the two organizations will be there
to support each other in the future.

“This helps build a stronger relationship between the Episcopalian and
Armenian Churches, and stronger cooperation between our two churches,”
Bishop Aykazian said. “We are living in a country where we need to
support each other and help each other and talk with each other.”

— 7/20/05

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