Armenia’s Christian heritage and the AAC must be properly appreciated by the international community — “Save Armenia”

ArmInfo.  On September 18, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received a delegation from the “Save Armenia” organization headed by its executive director, Dr. Paul Murray.

As reported by the Chancellery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, welcoming the guests’ visit to the spiritual center of all Armenians, His Holiness conveyed to the members of the delegation his blessing and gratitude for the support

provided to Armenia and the Armenian people, as well as for raising pressing issues on international platforms.

During the meeting, the Catholicos touched upon issues concerning the protection of the rights of the forcibly displaced residents of Artsakh, the earliest possible release of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Azerbaijan, as well as the policy of destroying and appropriating the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh. Karekin II emphasized the importance of a more effective and targeted response in this regard from competent international structures, sister churches and Christian organizations. In this context, reflecting on regional developments, the Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized that genuine and lasting peace must be based on justice, truth, human dignity, freedom of religion and respect for the fundamental rights of peoples.

The members of the delegation, in turn, highly appreciated the centuries-old spiritual and national mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church and its unwavering testimony of faith, offered to the Christian world as a whole in the face of the most difficult historical trials. The guests emphasized that Armenia’s and the Armenian Church’s rich Christian heritage should be duly appreciated by the international community, expressing their readiness to continue their efforts to ensure that the voice of the Armenian people and the Armenian Church is heard on various international platforms.

The guests also spoke about the educational work they had launched regarding violations of the rights of Armenian prisoners of war and encroachments on the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh. The members of the delegation also assured His Holiness that they would Guests  also presented the information and educational work they had launched, consistently raising the issue of Armenian prisoners in US government institutions and relevant bodies dealing with international religious freedom.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on the Christian education of the younger generation, strengthening the spiritual life and faith of young people, as well as overcoming hatred and enmity and establishing justice among peoples.