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:

June 30, 2006
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DIOCESAN LEGATE, CLERGY REPRESENT CHURCH AT CONSULTATION

The annual United States Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic Consultation
took place May 30 and 31, 2006, at the Cardinal Spellman Retreat Center in
Riverdale, NY.

Leading a delegation from the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) was Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical
officer. Other members of the delegation included Fr. Papken Anoushian,
pastor of the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ; Fr. Shnork Souin of the St.
Mary Church of Livingston, NJ; and Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of the Holy
Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA.

The consultation was among leading members of both the Roman Catholic and
Oriental Orthodox Churches, including His Eminence Metropolitan Mor Cyril
Aphrem Karim of the Syrian Orthodox Church and Bishop David of the Coptic
Orthodox Church.

During the two-day consultation, the 25 clergy discussed the general
relationship between the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches. During
the meeting they discussed many subjects including the Armenian Church’s
support in the newly formed Christian Churches Together, the activities of
the World Council of Churches General Council, and the dire situation in
Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Also during part of the session, Fr. Souin read a paper about marriage and
annulment in Oriental Orthodox churches to further understanding of that
area among the Roman Catholic community.

"It was important that we attend because the Armenian Church has been
playing a leading role in the ecumenical movement in United States," Bishop
Aykazian said.

— 6/30/06