The Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) Prays on the Intention of Armenia, Palestine and Lebanon, in the Presence of Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian
The MECC Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs Participates in the Prayer
On the occasion of the blessed birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in place of its customary reception, the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East (UAECNE) held a Prayer Service on Saturday 6 January 2024, at the First Armenian Evangelical Church, Beirut. The Prayer was held on the intention of the Armenians of Artsakh and all Armenia, the Churches of Palestine and the entire Palestinian people, Lebanon, its government and people, and also for the sake of the countries and peoples of the Middle East and the world who suffer from wars, violence, displacement, deprivation, instability and injustice of every kind.
Participants were the Representative of the Ambassador to Armenian in Lebanon, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Dr. Michel Abs, along with Armenian Evangelical Pastors and Parishioners. They all raised their Prayers with one heart and contrite spirit to the Almighty God, for the peace of the suffering world for which the Savior was born in Bethlehem.
The service included musical preludes and hymns, a reading of Psalm 86 with Reverend Jirair Ghazarian, a recitation of the Prayer of confession with Reverend Hrayr Cholakian, and a Gospel reading from Peter 5:1-11 with Reverend Hovhannes Svadjian.
The attendees also heard a video greeting delivered from Armenia by the Lead Pastor of the Evangelical Church of Armenia Reverend Hovik Hovsepyan. Then, a special Prayer was recited for Artsakh and the oppressed and displaced Armenians of Artsakh, with the Theology student Artak Galoyan.
Afterwards, His Eminence Bishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, delivered a word of greeting via video. In addition, Reverend Wilbert Van Saane offered special Prayers on the intention of peace in the Churches of Palestine and for the Palestinian people, as well as for the comfort of every grieving, homeless, widow, orphan and wounded, and for the safety of all.
In addition, Dr. Arda Ekmekji read the text of Revelation 21:1-7. Then, Reverend Raffi Messerlian offered an Intercessory Prayer for Lebanon, for the sake of peace and achieving truth and justice.
For his part, Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, President of Haigazian University in Lebanon, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Evangelical Family, offered a special reflection based on the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans 12:12. In his speech, Dr. Haidostian stressed the importance of the Church’s imperative to be in Prayer and to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering.
At the end of the service, the worshipers recited together the Lord's Prayer.
