Armenian Church Participates in World Council of Churches Conference
The Inter-Church Relations Department of the Armenian Church reports on participation in the World Council of Churches' 13th international Conference on World Mission and Evangelism with the theme "Come, Holy Spirit, Heal and Reconcile" The conference was held in Athens, Greece from 9-16 May 2005.
It called together 600 participants from over 100 countries, representing almost every Christian tradition. Mrs. Paula Devejian was the representative of the Armenian Church, the Catholicosate of All Armenians at the conference. Also attending as a steward to the conference through a special youth program was Gevorkian Seminary graduate, Vahagn Azizian from the Inter-Church Relations Department.
Each morning, diverse groups came together for Bible reflections, which prepared the delegates spiritually for the daily Plenary Sessions and multiple Workshops.
The conference participants recognized that divisions among Christians persist, but that changes affecting the world in the new millennium form an unprecedented challenge to Christian mission and witness, and call the churches to repentance and reconciliation.
"It is important to have this type of bonding on an individual level with other participants. The bringing together of diverse cultures and denominations through biblical and theological discussion gives important insight into the thought processes and belief systems of others", stated Mrs. Devejian, "and it is through this sharing process that we come to understand each other".
On Sunday evening, the participants closed the conference in central Athens, at the Areopagus, where the Apostle St. Paul proclaimed the gospel of Jesus to first-century Athenian philosophers. Also in attendance for the closing ceremonies were student representatives from the Armenian Church who are currently studying in Athens, Greece; Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Mayilian, Rev. Fr. Davit Karanian, Rev. Fr. Shnork Sarkissian and Deacon Gevork Makarian.
