WCC NEWS: H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian stands up for Thursdays in Black: “Just go on, do—and we can do it together”

Thursdays in Black ambassadors play a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian is vice-moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee. H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian is vice-moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC  23 November 2023   Why do you think we need Thursdays in Black? Archbishop Aykazian: Women and children are persecuted or they are marginalized, and we know around the world, there are many countries who have ignored women and children completely. As churches, it’s our moral responsibility to defend every single woman and child in the world. What responsibility do you think the World Council of Churches has? Archbishop Aykazian: As members of the World Council of Churches, we should go a little bit further, to hold responsibility for everyone who needs our defense. I think that Thursdays in Black is very important because the World Council of Churches is based in 120 different countries—and also in Geneva—so when we send the message we make people know that this is something very important to Christians.  What is your vision for strengthening the Thursdays in Black campaign? Archbishop Aykazian: There are other countries who have the same approach in different ways. I would like everybody to follow the lead of the WCC to bring justice to women and children. We are all equal. We are all created in the image of God. We invite everybody to do it, not only by speaking—but by acting. What is your own commitment as a Thursdays in Black ambassador? Archbishop Aykazian: As a Thursdays in Black ambassador, I hope I can make a difference. But no man is an island. We should work together. I have been traveling all around the world. I take this message with me, and I try to convince every single person wherever I go to respect the rights of women and children. We all have mothers, sisters, wives, cousins. and we love them—and we love and respect every single woman and every single child. I invite everybody to do, to act, without talking too much. Just go on—do, and we can do it together. Please join me. Please join the World Council of Churches as we try to change the practices. Leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC) are stepping up as #ThursdaysinBlack ambassadors. H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, vice moderator of the World Council of Churches’ Central Committee, speaks of the importance of acting together to make a difference See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland