On Thursday, March 21st, 2024, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), paid a visit to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Accompanying the General Secretary were Carla Khijoyan—WCC Programme Executive for the Middle East—and Seta Khedeshian—Associate Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches.

The discussion during the meeting revolved around the contemporary challenges facing the ecumenical movement. His Holiness provided a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the movement and shared his perspectives on various programs and initiatives undertaken by the WCC. Notably, His Holiness was elected as one of the WCC Presidents during the 11th Assembly and has a rich legacy in the ecumenical movement, having served as moderator of the WCC for two consecutive periods.

Following the meeting, Dr. Pillay was hosted by His Holiness. V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian guided Dr. Pillay through a tour of the departments of the Catholicosate.

Note that earlier on the same day, the General Secretary, along with his delegation, visited the St. Mary Monastery and the Theological Seminary, in Bikfaya, as well as the Birds’ Nest Orphanage and the Armenian Genocide Orphans’ “Aram Bezikian” Museum, in Byblos.