The following is a letter to The Rt. Rev. Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. The letter was sent via email in response to recent violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Episcopal Church joins with ecumenical partners, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, the National Council of Churches (NCC), the World Council of Churches (WCC), and others, in prayers for a peaceful end to the conflict.
October 8, 2020
The Rt. Rev. Daniel Findikyan
Primate
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
Your Grace,
Thank you for your letter of October 3rd regarding tragic events and in and around your homeland. Episcopalians, like so many others, have been saddened by news of the increased hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And now we are shocked and deeply dismayed by the recent bombardment of the border of the Artsakh region. It is heartbreaking indeed.
The Episcopal Church treasures its relationship with the Armenian Church of America. Our General Convention of 2006 called for the inclusion in our Church Calendar of Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24, lamenting the deaths of so many Armenian Christians a century ago, along with the victims of other 20th century genocides. And as the prayer for that day of remembrance says, we ask Almighty God to “give us courage to stand against hatred and oppression, and to seek the dignity and well-being of all” for Jesus’ sake.
Especially now, in this time of conflict and grief, we will continue to pray in earnest for peace and justice. And I will pray too for you, my brother, as you shoulder the burdens that you carry in the midst of all this.
Your brother in Christ,
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop & Primate
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