wfn.org | [SCOBA] SCOBA and SCOOCH Hierarchs Celebrate 8th Annual Prayer Service for the United Nations

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SCOBA

The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075

>PRESS RELEASE 
>November 12, 2008 

SCOBA and SCOOCH  Hierarchs Celebrate  8th Annual Prayer Service for the 
United Nations 

New York, NY - On Thursday, October 30th, Hierarchs of the Standing 
Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and 
of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America 
(SCOOCH) celebrated the 8th Annual Prayer Service for the United Nations. 
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the 
Armenian Church (Eastern), welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of 
America (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), the Chairman of SCOBA, assembled 
Hierarchs, Clergy, Ambassadors and Dignitaries of the UN Diplomatic Corps 
and laity to the Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral, the traditional site 
when the service is hosted by an Oriental Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Barsamian presided over the Vespers Service, which included 
liturgical chanting by Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian Choirs.  The Vespers 
marked a significant milestone in the life of SCOBA, as for the first 
time, Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk (Representation of the Moscow 
Patriarchate) participated in the Vespers as a full Member of SCOBA. 
Additionally, there were present Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim of the 
Syrian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Church 
(who is also President of the NCC), and   representation from the OCA.

His Excellency, Ambassador Negash Kebret, the Permanent Representative of 
the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations addressed the 
assembled faithful.  Following the conclusion of Vespers, led by the 
Hierarchs and the Diplomatic Corps, over 200 of the Clergy and Faithful 
attended a reception in the Kavookjian Hall. 

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