Page 38 - AECA.org.uk ¦ Koinonia 66

Denial of the crime of genocide, expressing support for the policy of
denial, appeasing genocidal countries and showing deference towards them:
each of these is a catalyst for the recurrence of genocidal crimes. The Apostolic
command states, ‘For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness
and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.’ (Eph. 5:9-11).
It is of deep spiritual comfort to us that through this collective prayer at
Westminster Abbey we have honoured the memory of our perished ancestors
and we have asked for the intercession of the canonized martyrs for the peace
and safety of humanity.
We bring our blessings to the Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very
Reverend Dr John Hall, the Bishop of London, The Right Reverend and Right
Honourable Dr Richard Chartres, and the Primate of the Armenian Church in
the United Kingdom and Ireland, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, for
their efforts in assisting the organization of this memorial service.
We express our appreciation to Dr Armen Sarkissian, Armenia's
Ambassador to the United Kingdom, for initiating this event and for his
significant contribution.
At this sacred moment we pray to God Most High that He strengthen
our churches so that we may serve in the love of Christ the flock entrusted to
us and support each other through spiritual unity so that we may be able to
work together for the sake of a just world, harmonious and free from violence.
It is our prayer that the Lord keep and protect the United Kingdom and
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her government, the Church of England, and
the faithful people and that He may send down His heavenly peace to all
mankind.
Under the blessing of the Lord, may the good relationship and
collaboration between our two countries and peoples be strengthened and
made more fruitful.
May the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us and with all.
Amen.

Address by Richard Chartres, Bishop of London

Father, may we with St Gregory of Narek “speak with God from the depths of
the heart”. Amen.
“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with?”

36