U.S. President Donald Trump met with Armenian religious leaders from across the United States and Armenia’s ambassador to Washington, Narek Mkrtchyan, at the White House, according to a statement from the Armenian Embassy.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Armenian Apostolic, Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical communities in the United States, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.
Participants included Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church under the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia; Bishop Mikael Mouradian, Eparch of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United States and Canada; and Reverend Hendrik Shahnazarian, Senior Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.
According to the embassy, the participants exchanged views on Armenia-U.S. relations, Christian and civilizational ties between the two countries, religious freedom, and efforts to establish peace and stability.
The importance of peace and greater mutual understanding among peoples was emphasised, with participants highlighting the role of faith and spiritual values in that process.
The Armenian religious leaders also offered a collective prayer for the well-being and future of the peoples of Armenia and the United States, as well as for friendship between the two countries.
The prayer also addressed efforts to establish peace, with the religious leaders highlighting Trump's contribution to the peace process involving Armenia.
The meeting was organised by the Armenian Embassy in cooperation with the White House Faith Office.
Paula White-Cain, senior adviser to the White House Faith Office and a longtime spiritual adviser to Trump, and Jennifer S. Korn, Faith Director of the office, also attended the meeting.
By Sabina Mammadli
