International
Day of Forgiveness
July 7, 2007
Press Release
In His Shoes, International
Contact: Anita Issagholyan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/7/7: World Day of Forgiveness
Forum features speakers and instruction
Pasadena based outreach organization, In His Shoes, in conjunction with All Saint’s Episcopal Church of Pasadena, is hosting a two day event to recognize July 7, 2007 (7/7/7) as World Day of Forgiveness. Based on the Biblical call to forgive “not only seven times but seven times seventy seven,” the Forum intends to highlight the necessity of forgiveness in achieving world peace.
The forum kicks off Friday evening, July 6, with a reception and an exhibit by artist Gregory Beylerian.
The new documentary “Sand and Sorrow” will be screened that evening. The film is narrated by George Clooney and producer Paul Freedman will be available for questions following the presentation.
Saturday’s conference begins at 9:00AM and features Rwandan genocide survivor Ben Kayumba who will share his story of forgiveness as his family and country experienced the atrocities of the last decade. Leticia Aguirre, mother of a young man who was slain in gang violence five years ago will tell how she forgave her son’s murderer. Finally, Father Vazken Movsesian, a priest of the Armenian Orthodox Church and founder of In His Shoes International lays out a plan for forgiveness that transcends the personal and affects the global realm. There will be Mandala building with Linda Maxwell of We Care for Youth and an art project with Gregory Beylerian.
According to Movsesian, “We all strive for peace and some even believe love is the key, but forgiveness is the means by which we achieve peace.”
The sevens line up in the forgiveness equation 7x77 as they do on the calendar. The public is invited to attend. Sands and Sorrow screens free of charge, the forum has a small fee of $25 for materials and lunch.
For further information and to register for the conference, please visit the website: www.7x77.org or contact anita@inhisshoes.org