On June 17, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II hosted a delegation from the Save Armenia organization led by Executive Director Dr. Paul Murray at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Catholicos Karekin II blessed the delegation and thanked its members for their work to protect human rights and religious freedom and to promote dialogue among peoples. His Holiness praised the organization’s efforts to raise concerns affecting Armenia and the Armenian people and to present them effectively on international platforms, particularly during this difficult period for the country.

He addressed the current state of Church-State relations, the rights of forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh, the release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of Artsakh’s Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage.

Referring to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church’s spiritual, educational, and nation-preserving mission, the Armenian Patriarch emphasized that the Church serves to strengthen Armenians’ spiritual life, foster national unity, and uphold spiritual and moral values in public life.

Dr. Paul Murray thanked His Holiness for the reception, outlined the purpose of the delegation’s visit, and reaffirmed the organization’s readiness to support the Armenian Church and people in addressing the challenges facing Armenia.

The discussion also touched on peace-building efforts in the region, with an emphasis on lasting peace grounded in justice, respect for peoples’ rights, and dignified coexistence.

Save Armenia is an organization that bills itself as a “Judeo-Christian alliance of Christians, Jews, and conservatives dedicated to saving the world’s oldest Christian nation.”

The Save Armenia website cites James Tufenkian and Robert Nicolson as the organization’s co-founders.

The website declares that Armenia, as the first nation to adopt Christianity and the last Christian nation in the Middle East, must be saved from the aggressive ambitions of Azerbaijan and Turkey. 

Save Armenia claims that: “Israel and Armenia share values, history, and challenges. These two Biblical nations have defied all odds, overcoming attempted eradication and forming resilient nation-states in the face of threats from hostile Islamic neighbors.”

Save Armenia’s Facebook page highlights statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump condemning the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh; vowing to protect Armenian Christians if elected.

Save Armenia has also welcomed the installation of the world’s largest statute of Jesus Christ on a mountaintop near Yerevan.