On Friday, November 21, the Armenian Church was represented at the Magdala Center’s “One Step Closer” gathering at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, through the participation of Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, attending on behalf of Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. He was joined by two young members of St. Mary Armenian Church, Sarkis Simonian and Alex Madajian.
The Magdala Center convened a distinguished assembly of Christian leaders from various traditions for “a morning of inspiration, conversation, and communion in faith.” The program emphasized the shared mission of Christians to promote unity, deepen understanding, and work together in service to the Gospel, even across theological differences.
The event took place alongside the Museum’s landmark exhibit, “Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition,” which features authentic fragments from Qumran and hundreds of artifacts from Israel’s National Treasures. Central to the exhibition is the Magdala Stone, a remarkable first-century artifact discovered in the hometown of Mary Magdalene. The stone’s carved imagery, believed to be one of the earliest depictions of the Jerusalem Temple, highlights the religious and historical world of the Holy Land during the time of Christ.
As part of the panel of faith leaders, Fr. Karapetyan offered a vital perspective on the ancient and enduring Armenian Christian presence in the Holy Land. He spoke on the centuries-long mission of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the preservation of sacred sites and manuscripts, and the distinctive role Armenians have played as guardians of the Christian heritage in Jerusalem and throughout the region.
The Armenian participation carries particular significance today, as the Armenian community in the Holy Land continues to face heightened challenges, including threats to its historic properties, pressures on its monastic and lay communities, and increasing instability affecting Christian minorities. By offering the Armenian Church’s voice in a prominent national forum, Fr. Karapetyan underscored the critical need for awareness, solidarity, and advocacy on behalf of the Armenian presence in Jerusalem, one of the world’s oldest continuous Christian communities.
The Magdala event held at the Museum of the Bible provided an opportunity for Christian leaders and communities to engage in dialogue, deepen mutual understanding, and strengthen bonds of fellowship. It also offered an important platform for sharing the story of the Armenian Church’s historic and current role in the Holy Land, a story that must be heard and understood as Armenians work to protect their spiritual, cultural, and historical legacy in the region.