On Saturday, 25 May 2013, 40 persons representing churches in Denmark, Gemany, India, Indonesia, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S.A met with His Holiness Aram I. The Protestant President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), representatives of the Executive Committee and the General Secretary accompanied the delegation.
Catholicos Aram I welcomed the representatives and thanked them for supporting the MECC and expressing solidarity with the churches in the Middle East. He then assured them that irrespective of difficulties, Christians will continue to coexist with Islam in the region, the birthplace of Christianity, based on the principle of respect for rights and responsibilities. He said, “We will continue to denounce violence and insist on dialogue.” His Holiness also talked of the current plight of the Syrian population and the need to assist them.
The Catholicos then discussed the recent decisions of the MECC Executive Committee. He asked the church representatives to increase their financial contributions to the MECC, especially in the areas of Christian Education and humanitarian assistance. After extensive discussion, the meeting ended with the representatives visiting the Genocide Memorial Chapel.