The Catholicos of All Armenians received representatives of the "Churches for Peace in the Middle East" organization
16.09.2022
On September 16, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received representatives of the American organization "Churches for Peace in the Middle East" accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Vigen Aikazyan.
The guests expressed their gratitude to His Holiness, emphasizing that a unique opportunity was provided to visit the first Christian country.
The heavy consequences of the 44-day war in Artsakh and the military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan were discussed at the meeting. In particular, they talked about human and territorial losses, tortures applied to military personnel and civilians, prisoners of war kept in Azerbaijan and families displaced from their places of residence. His Holiness also presented the problems related to the preservation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan, the documented steps in the appropriation and destruction of various historical sanctuaries and monuments by the Azerbaijani side.
The delegation, on behalf of the member churches of the "Churches for Peace in the Middle East" organization, expressed its support to the Armenian Church, sharing concerns regarding Azerbaijan's encroachments on the sovereign territories of Armenia.
In the created difficult situation, the Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized the adequate response of the international community and effective steps in response to Azerbaijan's repeated aggression and ambitions. His Holiness the Patriarch reaffirmed that a dignified peace cannot be established by threats and coercion.
In the course of the conversation, joint efforts were made in the face of existing challenges to promote peace and stability in the region.
