Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Governing Board of Acting Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance)
13.05.2016
On May 12, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the Governing Board members of Acting Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance). They were accompanied by Mr. Karen Nazaryan, board member and director of WCC Armenia Round Table Charitable Interchurch Foundation.
The ACT Alliance, consisting of 19 representatives of various Christian institutions and organizations, convened its regular annual meeting in Armenia.
Mr. Karen Nazaryan presented the board members to His Holiness, explaining that the organization initiates activities in three main directions: humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and advocacy of human rights and environmental justice.
Mr. Sushant Agarwal (India), the Moderator of ACT Alliance, expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for the reception and blessings on behalf of the board members. Mr. Agarwal, reflecting on the organization's mission, noted that the board members, representing different continents, are part of the Universal Church of Christ and they direct their efforts to the victims of emergencies, as well as to the support of people suffering in various parts of the world.
In his remarks, His Holiness expressed his deep appreciation for the mission of the ACT Alliance, and its useful activities.
His Holiness stressed that during this period, when the military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan has resulted in the disruption of peace on the Armenian borders, the death of dozens of people, and forced countless Armenians to become refugees; the convening of the ACT Alliance Annual Assembly in Armenia is viewed as a special contribution to peace in the region.
His Holiness Karekin II, presented the programs implemented by the Armenian Church in support of Artsakh, and conveyed his Pontifical appreciation to the WCC Round Table Foundation and ACT Alliance for the material aid received in recent days for the people of Artsakh.
His Holiness wished that Almighty God support His Holy Church, so that the help of such humanitarian aid shape a more prosperous world, based on mutual love and friendship between peoples and religions.
During the meeting, His Holiness answered questions regarding the support by the Armenian Church to the Syrian people and the Armenian community.
The meeting was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of Mother See and Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department of the Mother See.
