SYDNEY: The New South Wales Ecumenical Council at the bi-annual Heads of Churches Meeting has unanimously passed a resolution calling for the preservation of Armenian religious and cultural heritage in the Republic of Artsakh, in light of Azerbaijan’s systematic campaign to rid the region of its Armenian Heritage, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
Representatives from the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) were invited to address the Heads of Churches meeting and delivered a presentation titled, “Survival of the World’s First Christian Nation”, which explored the illegal destruction of Christian Armenian cultural and religious sites in the currently occupied Republic of Artsakh and ended with a Question and Answer opportunity.
Following the presentation, Rev Dr Rod Benson, General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council proposed the adoption of a motion which was seconded by Rev Faaimata Havea Hiliau, Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW & ACT.
The resolution, called on the NSW Ecumenical Council to work with the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian National Committee to address the following issues:
- Encourage the NSW and Australian Governments to take action to uphold human rights and international conventions relating to Armenia and Artsakh;
- Encourage the addition of new signatories to the Australian Friends of Artsakh Campaign;
- Encourage action to advocate a motion in the Australian Federal Parliament in support of the protection of Armenian cultural and religious heritage and the support of human rights and religious freedom in the region.
Over the years, the ANC-AU has built a strong and collaborative relationship with the Council, which represents 21 member churches across New South Wales. In May 2025, the ANC-AU National Office was pleased to meet with the newly appointed General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Rod Benson, warmly welcoming his appointment and reaffirming our commitment to work closely together.
During the meeting, Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian expressed the community’s gratitude to the NSW Ecumenical Council, and specifically Rev. Carmel Leraci (President) and Rev. Dr Rod Benson (General Secretary) for their ongoing solidarity.
Kolokossian said: “The systematic destruction of Armenian churches and cultural sites by Azerbaijan is not just an attack on buildings — it is an attempt to erase an entire people’s history and identity, reducing sacred places to rubble. In a land where church bells once rang loud and proud, now they are silenced by ethnic cleansing.”
“The unwavering solidarity shown by the NSW Ecumenical Council sends a strong message: the world’s first Christian nation, will not be forgotten or forsaken.”Kolokossian added.
