Current News

01 February 2009

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the National Council of Churches, traveled to Boston last month, meeting with academics, as well as local religious and political leaders, for a series of discussions about the Armenian Genocide, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue.

Archbishop Aykazian also celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cambridge, Mass., and spoke with parish leaders about ways the Boston community can play a more active role in the ecumenical movement.

“It was a very productive weekend,” Archbishop Aykazian said. “It’s always wonderful to see communities, like the one in Boston, energized by this mission of the Armenian Church, and eager to share their experiences with the broader society and world. ”

The three-day visit began on Friday, January 9 at Harvard University, where Archbishop Aykazian and James Kalustian, treasurer of the Diocesan Council and a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Church, met with faculty to discuss the Genocide and the Armenian community’s involvement in humanitarian and social issues.

Among those they met with was James Russell, the Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard, who spoke about the relationship between the Jewish and Armenian communities in the U.S. and abroad.

On Saturday, January 10, Archbishop Aykazian presided over a children’s communion service and breakfast at Holy Trinity Church.

For that afternoon, Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, Holy Trinity’s pastor and a Diocesan Council member, and Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, a delegate of the Diocese to the National Council of Churches general assembly and chair of its nominating committee, had organized a meeting with the Massachusetts Council of Churches’ Board of Directors. The Eastern Diocese is an active partner in the council, which represents 17 Orthodox and Protestant denominations statewide.

During the Saturday meeting at the Cambridge parish, Archbishop Aykazian outlined his vision as the president of the National Council of Churches and spoke about challenges facing various churches. He focused on “the dwindling number of Christians in the Holy Land,” and ways ecumenical organizations can reach out to assist churches in the region.

“His comments and facility on a wide range of topics of national and international interest added tremendous credibility to the Armenian Church’s involvement,” said Mr. Kalustian, who is a member of Holy Trinity Church and a parish delegate.

“The Armenian Church can play an important role in important issues, such as the Middle East conflict,” Mr. Kalustian added. “Because of the respect Archbishop Aykazian has earned as president of the NCC and the respect the Armenian Church and community has earned in the Middle East with all the players, we can play an important intermediary role. And when we are able to play this kind of role on the world scene, it can only help us when we are looking for support from others on issues of importance to our church and homeland.”

On Sunday, January 11, Archbishop Aykazian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed the Blessing of the Water ceremony at Holy Trinity Church.

Archbishop Aykazian also met with parish leaders to consider the ways the Cambridge parish can strengthen its participation in local ecumenical activities. The parish has already undertaken joint efforts with the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and plans to start interfaith dialogue with non-Christian organizations.

“In welcoming Archbishop Aykazian to Holy Trinity, an exceptional sense of pride filled our community,” Fr. Kouzouian said. “To know that an Armenian archbishop has been chosen to lead this ecumenical body is fulfilling for all Armenians.”

Archbishop Aykazian concluded his visit to the Boston area by attending the Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation and Pre-Inauguration Celebration at Roxbury’s Twelfth Baptist Church, where the civil rights leader preached while he was studying at Boston University.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and other state and city officials in attendance expressed gratitude to Archbishop Aykazian for participating in the celebration.

“As a result of Archbishop Aykazian’s visit, it became clearer to me that we as a church have a lot to offer the global community we live in,” Mr. Kalustian said. “So often we only look at interfaith relationships as a way for us to gain support for our issues – be it for Genocide recognition or Armenia in general. However, from our meetings with Professor Russell at Harvard and from a dialogue we started with Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, it also became clear that we can offer a lot as well.”