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October 25, 2006
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PRAYER SERVICE FOR UNITED NATIONS COMMUNITY HELD AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL
By Florence Avakian
New York City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral was filled to capacity as the
impressive procession of Orthodox Church leaders, dressed in flowing and
colorful majestic robes, filed into the sanctuary on Tuesday evening,
October 10, 2006. The occasion was the sixth annual Orthodox Prayer Service
for the United Nations Community.
Designed to foster peace and understanding throughout the world, each year
the service is conducted in the traditions of one of the participating
Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. This year, it followed the
tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church, officiated by Bishop David, of the
Coptic Orthodox Church Archdiocese of North America.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), offered a warm welcome to the 600 people in
attendance.
"Once again, as has become an annual tradition for the last six years, we
are gathered for the holy purpose of focusing our prayers on the need for
peace and harmony on earth. Each year, we come together to recognize the
important mission and work of the United Nations," the Primate said. "We
are committed to bringing our voice to the efforts of all men and women of
good will that we might, together, plant the seeds of peace, harmony, and
fellowship among all nations."
The annual event is organized by the Joint Commission of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and the Standing
Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Among the more than 75 clergy present were several church leaders, including
Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Church in America; Green
Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and Romania; Greek Bishop Dimitrios of
Xanthos; Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church of America; Metropolitan
Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, both of the St. Irene
Chrysovalantou Sacred Patriarchical Monastery of the Greek Orthodox Church;
Archbishop Antony of Ierapolis Eastern Eparchy, of the Ukranian Orthodox
Church in the United States; Bishop Antoun of Miami, of the Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America; Bishop Mercurius of the
Russian Orthodox Church; Bishop David of the Coptic Orthodox Church
Archdiocese of North America; Bishop Makaryus of the Coptic Orthodox Church
Archdiocese of North America; Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara
Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church of North America; and Bishop
Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer.
>From the United Nations community, several dignitaries and diplomats
attended, including Ambassador of Armenia Armen Martirosian.
KOFI ANNAN HONORED
In recognition of the service of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, a proclamation was issued by the Joint Commission of Eastern and
Oriental Orthodox Churches. Because of an emergency Security Council
meeting at the United Nations, Mr. Annan was unable to be present, but hi
representative, Edward Mortimer, director of communications for the
Secretary-General’s office, read a message.
"By coming together on this occasion every year, you provide a much-needed
sense of continuity amidst the challenges that never cease to confront our
United Nations," MR. Mortimer said, after being introduced by Bishoy M.
Mikhail, ecumenical officer and deacon of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
"The work of the United Nations would be hard to imagine without the
steadfast dedication of men and women of faith," he continued. "As teachers
and guides, you can be the agents of change, and inspire people to new
levels of public service. You can help bridge the chasms of ignorance, fear
and misunderstanding that plague our world. You can set an example of
dialogue, cooperation and respect between people of different beliefs,
traditions or cultures."
He quoted the profound words of the late United Nations Secretary-General
Dag Hammarskjold, who said, "The United Nations stands outside —
necessarily outside — all confessions. But it is, nevertheless, an
instrument of faith. As such, it is inspired by what unites, and not by
what divides, the great religions of the world."
And these words are still true today, Mr. Annan’s message said. "Spiritual
and religious practices differ widely, but we all acknowledge certain
universal values to be merciful, tolerant and to love thy neighbor. Such
teachings animate the United Nations Charter, and lie at the root of our
search for global harmony and peace."
During the evening, the peace and beauty of the Coptic Vesper service filled
St. Vartan Cathedral, as its priests and deacons intoned the ancient prayers
a cappella. Both clergy and attendees participated in the liturgy dedicated
to peace, understanding, justice and harmony throughout the world.
COMMON GOALS
In his keynote address, Bishop David, the ranking clerical leader present of
the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, conveyed the greetings of
Pope Shenouda III, Patriarch of the See of Alexandria.
"This meeting manifests our common goals concerning several crucial
challenges that face this generation as well as future generations," he
said. "As ambassadors of Christ, we must serve others, in total
self-denial, for the common good and salvation of all human kind."
Turning to current world problems, he emphasized that "Harsh socioeconomic
conditions are among the causes of violence and terror. The work of the
United Nations is guided by the conviction that eradicating poverty and
enhancing the quality of life of every individual are necessary steps in
creating conditions for lasting world peace. The members of the Oriental
and Eastern orthodox Churches are committed to pray for, endorse, and
support all the humanitarian initiatives and efforts of the United Nations."
Congratulating Secretary-General Kofi Annan for launching a new fund to
support peace building in countries emerging from conflict, Bishop David
stressed the vital role of the United Nations in "cultivating a world based
on human values."
"This goal is only realized when the United Nations represents the consensus
of all of its member countries, not merely the national or political
interests of its more privileged or powerful members," he said.
— 10/25/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Coptic Bishop David speaks inside New York City’s St.
Vartan Cathedral on October 10, 2006, during the Orthodox Prayer Service for
the United Nations Community.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), and Archbishop Demetrios, of the
Greek Orthodox Church in America, present a proclamation, on behalf of the
Joint Commission of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, to Edward
Mortimer, director of communications for the office of U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian is joined by leaders of several
Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches in St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral
during the Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community on
October 10, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Coptic clergy join hundreds of clergy, faithful, and
dignitaries from the Orthodox community during the Orthodox Prayer Service
for the United Nations Community, held at New York City’s St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on October 10, 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
