Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On August 14, in the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Library of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the priests of the Aragatsotn Diocese led by His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Diocese.

Following the Lord’s Prayer, Very Rev. Fr. Senior Archimandrite Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, delivered a lecture on “The Characteristics of the Religious Minorities of Armenia”.

Father Shahe presented the activities of the religious organizations operating in Armenia and the approaches of the Mother See towards them. During the discussions, Father Shahe also reflected on the current issues and inter-religious, ritual relations between the Armenian Church and other traditional churches.

At the meeting, Very Rev. Fr. Senior Archimandrite Zakharia Baghumyan, Head of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See, presented a report on the State Public Educational Standards and subject standards, their problems, challenges and expressed concerns, once more time confirming the positions of the Mother See related to the latter. Father Zakharia also made a special reference to subject of the “History of the Armenian Church”, noting, that it is unacceptable to exclude the subject of the “History of the Armenian Church” from the public school as a separate component.

The lecture was followed by the discussion, during which the Catholicos of All Armenians held a question-answer session with the priests, emphasizing the importance of the role of the clergy in the educational upbringing of generations, stressing the significance of the devoted service of each clergyman in communities.

In their turn, the priests informed the Pontiff of All Armenians about the activities done and the programs being implemented in their communities.

At the conclusion, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; conveyed His appreciation and Pontifical Blessings to the Priesthood to implement their pastoral service with selfless devotion. The Pontiff of All Armenians emphasized the importance of the establishment of the parish communities in favor of the further development of the spiritual life and prosperity of the Church mission. His Holiness also conveyed His appreciation to Bishop Mkrtich for the diligent work and unlimited energy towards the progress of the spiritual life of the Diocese.

The Armenian Patriarch urged the clergy to  continue their service with the same diligence and zeal for the sake of the prosperous life of the Armenian people and the brightening and strengthening of the Fatherland.