Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On September 07, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the administration  of the Youth Centers operating under the auspices of the Mother See and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). 

At the beginning of the meeting, on behalf of the Heads of the Youth Centers, Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Marukyan, Spiritual Pastor of the Youth Center in Vanadzor, expressed his gratitude to the Pontiff of All Armenians for the Pontifical care and attention towards the Youth Centers.

Then, the Armenian Patriarch conveyed His appreciation and Blessings to the attendees, emphasizing the importance of the mission of the Youth Centers. His Holiness stressed that the aim of building such extracurricular education centers was to cut the children and teenagers off from the street influences in the difficult period of 1990s, provide them with right care and upbringing, giving them opportunity to develop their talents and abilities, skills in arts, crafts and sports. The Catholicos of All Armenians noted with gratitude, that the RA authorities trusted in that vision allocating three structure in Yerevan to the Church, and the late President of AGBU Louise Manoukian-Simone, contributed to its implementation. According to His Holiness, the three Youth Centers established in 1993 with the cooperation and by the support of AGBU, became a strong ground for today's stable and already tradition forming network, which includes seven Youth Center in Yerevan, Vanadzor, Etchmiadzin, Ashtarak cities and the Miniature Art Center in Yerevan. The Armenian Pontiff noted with joy, that the Youth Centers, where about five thousands of students are studying, have educated and brought up tens of thousands of Armenians during their mission. In this regard His Holiness expressed hope, that due to the generous contributions of the benevolent Armenians it will be possible to establish such kind of education centers in other towns.

Referring to the important mission of the Youth Centers, His Holiness affirmed that both the talents and skills of the Armenian children are revealed and strengthened, and their identity is formed anchored on the national and spiritual values. “Your graduate children and teenagers are our future, who must forge the victories of both their life and our Fatherland and nation. The importance of recognizing one’s own roots and strengthening the national spirit is emphasized more and more in today’s world. Your mission is also to strengthen the national-spiritual values in their hearts”, _ stated in part the Pontiff of All Armenians, emphasizing the importance of the work of teachers in preparing nation-devoted children.

During the meeting, the Armenian Patriarch expressed His appreciation to the authorities of the Youth Centers, teachers for their zealous and consistent activities. The Catholicos of All Armenians with satisfaction also conveyed His appreciation to AGBU and all the benefactors, who assist and support the Mother See in the cherished mission of education and upbringing of the students of the Youth Centers.

His Holiness also introduced Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Maghakia Amiryan, newly appointed Head of the Youth Centers, to the participants of the meeting, wishing him  successes in this new position.

In his turn, Archimandrite Maghakia thanked the Armenian Pontiff for the trust, assuring that he would make all the efforts in the implementation of the wishes and goals of His Holiness related to the Youth Centers.

During the conversation, issues related to the work organization of the new academic year in the pandemic conditions for  increasing the productivity of the educational process were discussed.