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On June 29 the 17th Annual General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on the Orthodoxy continued its works in Erebuni-Plaza hotel.

The theme of the discussion of the first sitting of the Assembly was The Contribution of the Orthodoxy in the Establishment and Development of the Statehood of the Eastern Christian Traditional Countries.

Welcoming the guests and thanking for warm reception the Chairman of the Assembly Sergey Popov expressed hope that the works of the Assembly would be effective, as the agenda issue was topical and worth attention. He touched upon the fact that Orthodoxy had played a huge role in the national self-conscience of the Assembly member countries and strengthening of statehood. The Christianity becoming as a state religion in Armenia and Byzantium gave new impetus for the strengthening of statehood and development of civilization. In Orthodox countries the problem of continuity of harmonious existence of the church and state as spiritual stable development factor of the civil society is highlighted.

Doctor of Historical Sciences, correspondent member of RA National Academy Babken Harutyunyan gave speech in the Assembly. He spoke about the significant events of the history of Armenia, which adopted the first as state religion, adhering to Christian values of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in preserving and developing national ideology, language, culture, as well as important role undertaken in the Armenian liberation struggle and huge contribution. The speaker drew attention to the fact that if during the independence period of Armenia the Armenian Apostolic Church supported the state and played a very important role in its strengthening, during the loss of statehood the power forces were undertaking consolidating role, were taking measures in restoring the statehood, were inspiring with Christian faith its herd and were giving strength facing the disasters. In developing education, science and culture, strengthening the family, building statehood and preserving national identity, it’s not possible to imagine the achievements of the Armenian people without participation of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Professor from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, correspondent member of Athens Academy, member of Serbia and Bulgaria Academy Anthony-Emil Tachisos spoke about the role of the church in the establishment of statehood of the Eastern Christian countries. He highlighted the theme of the discussion of the Assembly, as it refers to the universal traditions of the member countries, their history, their passed path and joint actions to be done. Going back to the early period of the establishment of Christianity, the speaker mentioned the fact that the Emperor always needed the support of the church, and the church had been the spiritual basis of the state and supported the establishment and strengthening of the independent statehood. As an example he mentioned the devotion of the Armenian Apostolic Church in their role of the conservation of the national values and development of world civilization. Speaking about the key role of the Byzantine Orthodox Church in spreading Christianity in Bulgaria, Serbia and Russia and strengthening the statehood, he noted that the support had been unbiased and even promoted the establishment of the national ideology and independence of those countries.

The adviser to the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy Valeri Alexeyev’s speech related to the state-church relationship. He noticed that the first rules regulating those relations have been worked out in Constantinople and conveyed to the countries, which adopted the orthodox faith by its help. According to Alexeyev, Orthodoxy not only promotes the establishment of the state, bit it also plays an important role in the formation of national mentality, preservation of the national values, strengthening of spiritual relations in the family, so the harmonious relationship of the church and state is important, as the coexistence of soul and body.

He touched upon the establishment of the new ideology and in that aspect, the necessity of the active role of the Orthodox Church. It does not mean that the clergymen of the church should be involved in politics: moreover it will be a big blow to the Orthodox Church. Valeri Alexeyev talked about the goals of the activities of the spiritual and secular authorities, distinct separation of the functions and borders of cooperation.

The General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, Doctor of Theology Costas Migdalis touched upon church-state-society new relationship being formed during the last decades, noting that the Christian faith has renaissance, and its role in the society increases more and more. The world has spiritual and material revelations: the spiritual life of the individual and the state is impossible to imagine without Christian faith. In the speaker’s opinion, the harmonious relationship between the state and the church supposes distinct border separation of the activity spheres. The relationship is more harmonious, when the faith is bigger in the society, and the participation of the church in the public life is more active.

The Secretary General of the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on the Orthodoxy, the deputy of the Greek Parliament Anastasios Nerantzis noticed that the globalization gives new challenges and can drive temptations, from which we should avoid. The power of the civil society’s faith plays decisive role in spiritualization of the country, which in its turn becomes a stimulus of the development of the country. To his assessment, to believe means to be close to God: the path of perfection is not the fear of being punished for the made mistakes, from which begins the knowledge of God. Prophet Moses, being close to God, could make possible the impossible.

Different representatives of the Assembly member countries also gave speeches on the issue being discussed.

On the same day all the delegates of the Assembly visited the memorial complex of the Armenian Genocide victims.

The 17th Annual General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on the Orthodoxy will continue its work on June 30. On the same day the press conference of the President and Secretary General of the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on the Orthodoxy will be held.