On September 22, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received the delegation of the Armenian Evangelical World Council and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), who were in Armenia to attend the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia and to celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church in the Motherland.

Minister Hakobyan welcomed the guests and extended congratulations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and the 170th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church. She said: “I am glad that you are in Armenia these days when we proudly celebrate the 25th anniversary of our independence. In the achievements during the 25 years of our independence, I would like to stress three of them. The first is the existence of the two Armenian Republics, the second is our powerful military establishment, and the third, the creation of institutional structures that have been successfully cooperating with international organizations.”

Minister Hakobyan highly appreciated the invaluable role of the Diaspora during the difficult days of the establishment of an independent statehood and expressed her gratitude for the contribution of the Armenian Evangelical Church. The Minister also stressed the huge role of Haigazian University, the only Armenian institution of higher education in the Diaspora.

Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, the President of the Armenian Evangelical World Council thanked the Minister for her warm words of appreciation and said: “More than obligation, it’s a joy for the members of the Armenian Evangelical Church to help the Homeland. We are seeing the tangible achievements during the past 25 years, and the dedication and the efforts of the young generation in keeping the Homeland with their blood and sweat.”

Zaven Khanjian, Executive Director/CEO of AMAA said: “The Armenian Missionary Association of America has an undivided and enduring commitment towards Armenia and is ready to do everything possible in order to achieve as quick as possible to a strong Homeland that we all dream of.”

Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, the Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University, Rev. Haroutune Selimian, the President of the Armenian Evangelical Community in Syria and others also expressed their appreciation.

In closing, Minister Hakobyan wished success to the jubilee Celebration of the 170th Anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church, which will take place in the Aram Khachadourian Music Hall on Sunday, September 25.

Article in Armenian