BIRMINGHAM, AL — The ecumenical group Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A. (CCT) marked its 20th anniversary with a special forum in Birmingham, AL, on October 6-9, bringing together representatives of 34 Christian communions and organizations to reflect on two decades of ecumenical cooperation and consider the organization’s future. Among those honored during the anniversary gathering was Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director of the Eastern Diocese, who was recognized as one of CCT’s founding leaders. Archbishop Vicken, who participated in the organization’s establishment two decades ago, also delivered the forum’s principal address representing the Orthodox family of churches. Held under the theme “Giving Thanks, Renewing Hope,” the anniversary forum featured prayer, dialogue, and presentations by Christian leaders from across the country. The program included an address by civil rights leader Ambassador Andrew Young, along with visits to historic sites associated with Birmingham’s civil rights movement. In his address, Archbishop Vicken reflected on the hopes that accompanied the founding of Christian Churches Together, and on the challenges of sustaining relationships among churches with different histories, traditions, and theological perspectives. “Christian Churches Together was born from a simple — but rather daring — idea: that Christians who do not agree about everything can still come together as Christians,” Archbishop Vicken said. He emphasized that genuine ecumenical fellowship does not require churches to set aside their distinctive identities or convictions. Rather, he suggested, Christians can encounter one another in the fullness of their respective traditions while recognizing their common faith in Jesus Christ. Speaking from the experience of the Armenian Church, Aykazian reflected on the endurance of Christian faith through centuries of upheaval, persecution, and uncertainty. He contrasted Christian hope, rooted in faith in God, with mere optimism about the course of human events. The setting of Birmingham also prompted him to consider the relationship between Christian belief and public witness. Recalling the city’s civil rights history and the enduring significance of the Letter from Birmingham Jail, he challenged the churches to consider what practical consequences should follow from their fellowship. “What does Jesus Christ expect us to do, because we have prayed together?” he asked. “What burden can we carry together that none of us can carry alone? What suffering can we address together? What truth can we speak together?” Looking toward CCT’s next two decades, Archbishop Vicken urged its members to build on the relationships they have established, allowing their common faith to find expression in service to others. During the anniversary banquet, Archbishop Vicken was formally recognized alongside other founding leaders for his contributions to Christian Churches Together. Also representing the Eastern Diocese at the forum was Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, pastor of St. Mary Church in Washington, DC, and a member of CCT’s Steering Committee. During the gathering, Fr. Karapetyan introduced participants to Orthodox worship at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham. The anniversary forum offered an opportunity both to acknowledge the relationships established through CCT over the past twenty years and to consider how those relationships might contribute to the Christian churches’ common witness in the years ahead. The post Christian Churches Together Marks 20th Anniversary, Honors Archbishop Aykazian appeared first on The Armenian Mirror-Spectator .