Epting Joins Ecumenical Delegation in Visit to Armenian Church
Episcopal News Service. September 17, 2002 [2002-215-4]
Bishop Christopher Epting, the Episcopal Church's deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations, joined an ecumenical delegation in an August 22-25 visit to the Armenian Church and a meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Members of the delegation expressed deep appreciation for the signs of renewal in the ancient church that has only recently emerged from a period of suppression by Soviet Russia. According to tradition, Christianity was first taken to Armenia by apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew and, after periods of persecution, in 301 Armenia became the world's first kingdom to adopt Christianity as its official state religion. The church is a member of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches that also includes Syrian, Ethiopian, Coptic and a few smaller churches.
'We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Armenians because we opened our doors to them during the immigration in the late 19th century,' Epting noted. The first Armenian liturgy was celebrated September 22, 1889 at Grace Church on Broadway in New York, a hospitality that was offered to Armenians in other churches around the country. Many Armenian clergy have attended Episcopal seminaries.
Epting said that Karekin is 'a vital young church-builder who has a vision for the recovery of his church. Members of our delegation shared his excitement as he described those efforts. The church's rich and colorful liturgy, for example, is being reclaimed, and we attended a wonderful youth rally during our visit.' The delegation learned that the church's seminaries are full and many youth have returned to the church.
The delegation was particularly moved by its visit to Tzitzernagapert, the memorial to the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at the hands of the Turks, a reminder of the deep wound carried by the Armenians and their determination to avoid such horror in the future.
As they rebuild, the Armenians are also assuming a more visible role within the worldwide Christian family, making a distinct contribution based on their endurance--and the rich and distinct traditions of their ancient church. Members of the delegation said that the visit had strengthened their conviction that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in Armenia.
(Photos of the trip are available at the National Council of Churches web site at www.ncccusa.org.)