Orthodox Prayer Service for UN community

October 16, 2006

Bishop Barsamian with John Paterakis and David Weaver following the Orthodox prayer service. Photo: R. Waghray

Church World Service officers and staff attended the 6th annual Orthodox prayer service for the United Nations community at New York City’s St. Vartan’s Armenian Cathedral.

Armenian Archbishop Khajag Barsamian recognized UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s contribution to peace and justice. Mr. Annan is due to retire at the end of the year.

Director of Communications at the Secretary-General’s Office Edward Mortimer spoke on behalf of the UN.

The October 10 prayer service was sponsored by commissions and conferences representing the broadest forum of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox cooperation in North America.

Vesper prayers were conducted in the tradition of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The Church’s Bishop David endorsed the UN Millennium Development Goals in his speech.

Church World Service was represented by Executive Director John McCullough, Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors John Paterakis, Director for Education and Advocacy Rajyashri Waghray and Director for Mission Relationships and Witness David Weaver.

Said Mr. Paterakis: “For Orthodox Christians, liturgical worship is the means by which we express who we are and what we believe. There is no better way for us to voice support for the United Nations and its efforts at building peace than to bring together the staff of the UN and its delegations, together with the larger community of believers, to praise God and to seek His continued blessing upon these worthy ministries.”