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PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
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. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
November 17, 2006
___________________
BISHOP VICKEN AYKAZIAN ACCOMPANIES CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II TO KAZAKHSTAN
RELIGIOUS SUMMIT
By Florence Avakian
With the aim of fostering freedom of religion and respect for other
religions, the Second Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions took place at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana,
Kazakhstan, from September 11 to 15. The entire conference was chaired by
the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Unlike the first summit
which was held in 2003, this year's event was attended by world political
and religious leaders.
Representing the Armenian Apostolic Church was the Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II who was accompanied by the Primate of Karabagh
Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan, President-Elect of the National Council of
Churches of America, Bishop Vicken Aykazian, and the Ecumenical Officer in
Etchmiadzin. Other dignitaries in attendance included Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomeo, Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, and Yona Metzger,
Chief Rabbi (Ashkenazi) in Israel.
"The conference was significant and impressive in that all major religions
worked together for the goal of world peace and harmony. It was an honor
for the Armenian Apostolic Church with its spiritual leader to participate
in this endeavor," Bishop Aykazian said.
Vehapar Karekin II, in his eloquent message, emphasized the crucial
importance of fostering religious freedom and tolerance, and invited all the
participants to respect these ideals in their respective countries, and
continents. At the conclusion of the Congress, the Vehapar with his
entourage was given a private meeting with President Nazarbayev.
While in Kazakhstan, the Catholicos also met with the Republic of Armenia's
Ambassador to Kazakhstan Levon Khachadourian, as well as with the local
Armenian community in Kazakhstan of which there are approximately 35,000,
including 3000 in Astana alone.
Observers related that this Astana congress was the first significant event
where religious representatives of the Arab countries met their Israeli
counterparts since the conclusion of the recent Israeli-Lebanese war.
More than 30 representatives of traditional religions around the world
attended the conference, including Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist,
Shinto, Dao. In addition, several international religious organizations had
delegates present, including the World Conference on Religion and Peace, the
World Council of Churches, and the World Foundation for Zarathustra Culture.
Among the political dignitaries present were former Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohammad, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, and UNESCO
head Koichiro Matsuura.
The New Palace of Peace and Accord where this Second Congress of the Leaders
of World and Traditional Religions took place was built under the guidance
of the famed British architect Sir Norman Foster. He is one of the
architects responsible for the new skyscraper complex that is being erected
in New York City to replace the World Trade Center.
-- 11/17/06
# # #
Department of Communications
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. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
November 17, 2006
___________________
BISHOP VICKEN AYKAZIAN ACCOMPANIES CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II TO KAZAKHSTAN
RELIGIOUS SUMMIT
By Florence Avakian
With the aim of fostering freedom of religion and respect for other
religions, the Second Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions took place at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana,
Kazakhstan, from September 11 to 15. The entire conference was chaired by
the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Unlike the first summit
which was held in 2003, this year's event was attended by world political
and religious leaders.
Representing the Armenian Apostolic Church was the Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II who was accompanied by the Primate of Karabagh
Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan, President-Elect of the National Council of
Churches of America, Bishop Vicken Aykazian, and the Ecumenical Officer in
Etchmiadzin. Other dignitaries in attendance included Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomeo, Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, and Yona Metzger,
Chief Rabbi (Ashkenazi) in Israel.
"The conference was significant and impressive in that all major religions
worked together for the goal of world peace and harmony. It was an honor
for the Armenian Apostolic Church with its spiritual leader to participate
in this endeavor," Bishop Aykazian said.
Vehapar Karekin II, in his eloquent message, emphasized the crucial
importance of fostering religious freedom and tolerance, and invited all the
participants to respect these ideals in their respective countries, and
continents. At the conclusion of the Congress, the Vehapar with his
entourage was given a private meeting with President Nazarbayev.
While in Kazakhstan, the Catholicos also met with the Republic of Armenia's
Ambassador to Kazakhstan Levon Khachadourian, as well as with the local
Armenian community in Kazakhstan of which there are approximately 35,000,
including 3000 in Astana alone.
Observers related that this Astana congress was the first significant event
where religious representatives of the Arab countries met their Israeli
counterparts since the conclusion of the recent Israeli-Lebanese war.
More than 30 representatives of traditional religions around the world
attended the conference, including Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist,
Shinto, Dao. In addition, several international religious organizations had
delegates present, including the World Conference on Religion and Peace, the
World Council of Churches, and the World Foundation for Zarathustra Culture.
Among the political dignitaries present were former Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohammad, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, and UNESCO
head Koichiro Matsuura.
The New Palace of Peace and Accord where this Second Congress of the Leaders
of World and Traditional Religions took place was built under the guidance
of the famed British architect Sir Norman Foster. He is one of the
architects responsible for the new skyscraper complex that is being erected
in New York City to replace the World Trade Center.
-- 11/17/06
# # #