Metropolitan Herman attends Fourth Annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the UN Community
NEW YORK, NY [SCOBA/OCA Communications] -- His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman was one of several hierarchs representing the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA] and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America [SCOOCH] who attended the fourth annual Orthodox Prayer Service and reception for the United Nations community at Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral here on Tuesday, October 12, 2004.
The theme of this year's service, at which His Eminence, Archbishop Mar Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese for the eastern US presided, was "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Distinguished speakers at this year's service were His Excellency, Kaha Chitaia, Deputy Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN; His Excellency, Ambassador Teruneh Zenna, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the UN; Mr. Giandomenico Picco, Under Secretary-General of the UN and personal representative of His Excellency, Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General; and Archbishop Karim.
His Excellency Chitaia spoke of the need for the Church to speak out when there is "even the slightest evidence of violence, whether it be of moral, ethical or criminal character." The Church must "manifest clearly its position in regards to such violations. This manifestation should be motivated only by the moral principles of the Church, and not other motivations." The position of the Church, he said, "would not only serve as a strong message for political leaders and public figures, but also strengthen the faith of the believers."
In his remarks, Ambassador Zenna noted several causes of violence, including the increase of poverty in a "rapidly globalizing world."
"There is an absolute necessity for all of us to speak loudly and in unison against oppression and the exclusion of one by the other," he said. "Orthodox Christians must emphasize service for the disadvantaged and oppressed as a necessary consequence of our recognition of all humanity bearing the image of God." He also addressed the violence of terrorists "who, for their own perceived reasons, hate and fear other people, their values, culture, and civilizations."
In the message of the UN Secretary General, His Excellency, Kofi Annan wrote, "At a time when some would seek to divide the human family by exploiting differences among peoples, we need more than ever the contribution of men and women of faith who defend and promote the practice of dialogue. That is why I am pleased to extend my best wishes to this prayer service for the United Nations Orthodox community. It is reassuring to know that you have gathered to celebrate your commitment to overcoming violence in our world and to reaffirm your rejection of intolerance and hatred. As you pray for the United Nations, I hope you will pray that whatever the challenges and crises that confront us, we may make this indispensable instrument as effective as it can be. Pray that world leaders find the wisdom and the will to use this tool to its full capacity, in the interest of the people it exists to serve. Pray for peace in the family of nations."
Archbishop Karim spoke of the place of the human being in creation and the role of the Holy Church in promoting peace and harmony among all people and the role of the UN in establishing peace among nations.
"Peace is only possible when it is built on justice," the archbishop said. "As long as I am not able to identify with my neighbor's pain and suffering, we will not have peace. The United Nations, therefore, is called upon to supercede the narrow political interests of its member nations and truly help to establish a world based on true human values which form the basis of all human rights and the dignity of humankind. Among other things, this requires the UN to be as even-handed as possible in implementing its resolutions. Eradication of violence and true peace will never arrive by the dictates of the so-called world powers but rather the recognition of the dignity of each human being as a child of God, created in God's image and likeness."
Musical presentations were offered by the octet of Saint Vladimir Seminary Octet, the choir of Saint Mark Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, and Florence Avakian, organist of the Saint Vartan Cathedral Choir. Following services, a reception was held in the Kavookjian Auditorium.
Approximately 200 persons were in attendance, including ambassadors, mission heads and UN personnel, as well as many area clergy and laity. Other hierarchs in attendance included His Eminence, Archbishop Vsevolod, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; His Grace, Bishop Antoun, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America; His Grace, Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; His Eminence Archbishop Abune Matthias, Archdiocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the USA; His Eminence, Archbishop Mar Titus Yeldho, Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church of North America; His Eminence, Archbishop Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, Syria; His Grace, Bishop David, Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America; and His Grace, Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Armenian Church of America.
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