Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On December 18, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Reverend Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, Spiritual pastor of the Holy Martyrs Church of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America (New York), who received the degree of Doctor of Theological Sciences from Fordham University in the USA.
With the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Father Abraham continued his studies at the Faculty of Religion of Fordham University, defending his doctoral thesis on the topic "The problem of separation from the spiritual flock in the Armenian Church before the new millennium", and lectures at St. John's University in New York.
Presenting his doctoral work to His Holiness, Father Abraham emphasized that the purpose of the work is to identify the current challenges, as a result of which young families find it difficult to participate in church life, and to find ways to overcome them.
The Patriarch of All Armenians reflected with satisfaction about the scientific achievement of Father Abraham, emphasizing that this work is an important contribution in the field of pastoral theology and an opportunity for the clergy to familiarize themselves with the issues related to youth.
The Armenian Bishop noted with joy that the clergymen are engaged in scientific activities in parallel with the pastoral service, enriching their knowledge for the benefit of the spiritual service.
At the meeting, His Holiness, as a token of appreciation, granted the Pectoral Cross.
At the conclusion, the Reverend Father presented His Holiness his thesis work and the doctorate degree certificate.