Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On June 18, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the 6th conference of the Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See was commenced. Present at the conference were clergymen serving world-wide in the Dioceses and organizations of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church (monks, archimandrites, Very Reverend Fathers). His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See, opened the conference.

The Conference was also attended by representatives from the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Conference of the Brotherhood Members began with the Lord’s Prayer, following which opening remarks were made by conference organizer Rev. Fr. Oshakan Kyulkyulyan (Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America).

Fr. Oshakan xtended his joy on the occasion of the Conference, due to which the clergymen are given the best opportunity to pray together, to renew their covenant toward God and the Armenian Apostolic Church, to be strengthened by the Lord and express their loyalty toward the Catholicos of All Armenians.

“This moment is unique and awakens sweet memories in the soul of each of us, because regardless of our place of service, rank or various circumstances, a part of our heart is always here, in this sacred place, where for centuries the prayer of the Brotherhood of the Mother See is sounded and will be sounded "for the sake of peace and the steadfastness of our nation and church". It is the sacred part that gives us hope, maintains and strengthens firm in the mission.

All of us are called to preach the word of God, to lead our people to salvation educating them with everlasting values. But dear faithful, this mission is more effective when we are together, one soul and one heart, members of the Armenian Church. Wherever we are and wherever we go, we should never lose or weaken our ties with the Holy Etchmiadzin, which is the inspiration of our calling and soul, the source of strength.

Being a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin is a responsibility, commitment and high consciousness of calling, our sacred covenant to serve the Armenian Church and our pious people. In the case of service and title, everything else becomes secondary, because you realize that your are the son of Holy Etchmiadzin, the carrier of the divine Truth”, stated Fr. Oshakan, adding that the return to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is a new vision at our Christian and national identity, our calling and mission, which means to be back to our essence, which is where we were born and where we are strengthened.

The opening remarks were followed by the discussion of the conference agenda, then the selection of the council of the Conference of the Brotherhood Members was held. Very Rev. Fr. Sasoun Zmrukhtyan was elected as the Chairman of the council (Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America); Rev. Fr. Tovma Khachatryan (Armenian Church Youth Organization (Pan-ACYO) spiritual Dean and Director of the Central Office) and Rev. Fr. Derenik Sahakyan (Armenian Diocese of Egypt) were elected as Conference scribes.
Representatives of the Hierarchical Sees- Rev. Fr. Petros Manuelyan (Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia) and Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Uchkunyan (Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople) welcomed the participants of the Conference of the Brotherhood members and shared their thoughts on spiritual service.

The first day of the Conference was closed with the “Protector” Prayer by Bishop Hovnan.

During the 4-day conference the members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See will discuss various challenges facing the Church and will listen to different reports. On June 19, the participating members of the Conference will leave for different remote communities of the Gegharkunik Diocese with pastoral mission, and will visit to especially needy families.