Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On November 28, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; hosted about 280 students who won prizes in various national and international festivals, competitions, exhibitions and tournaments of the Youth Centres operating under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian General Benevolent Union at the "Hrach and Susan Tufayan" Youth Center in Vagharshapat.

The Youth Center program was started in 1993 by the initiative of the vicar of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Garegin Nersisyan and with the support of AGBU President Mrs. Louise Manukyan Simone.

In these after-school education centers, children of different ages get the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts, sports and other professional groups, getting a solid education. Particular attention is paid to the spiritual upbringing of students and the creation of a national profile.

The students who recorded success, visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to receive the blessings of His Holiness.

The meeting began with the welcome remarks by Ms. Lianna Arakelyan, the acting director of Youth Centers. The latter presented to His Holiness the recorded successes of the Youth Centers, particularly referring to the achievements of the students in various fields. In her speech, Ms. Arakelyan thanked the Catholicos of All Armenians for the paternal care and concern shown to the Youth Centers and emphasized that those educational centers, overcoming various difficulties, continue to carry out their mission in the country's life with honor.

The Patriarch of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and congratulations to the students, teachers and principals of the Youth Centers on the occasion of the achievements and victories recorded during the year 2023. His Holiness, referring to the important mission of the Youth Centers, confirmed that the Armenians' talents and gifts are not only revealed and strengthened in the Youth centers, but also their profile is formed, anchored on national and spiritual values.

"Our wish is for our children to grow up under God's care and love, to learn the Lord's commandments and messages, to live according to these commandments, implementing them in their lives, so that the lives of our people's children will be happy and blessed, the nation will be strong, capable and always progressive, walking commensurate with the spirit and trends of the times," stated the Armenian Patriarch, stressing with satisfaction that Youth Centers have been fulfilling this sacred mission for 30 years.

The Catholicos of All Armenians with a prayer recalled AGBU President Mrs. Luise Manukyan Simone, who stood at the beginning of the establishment of Youth Center, under whose patronage the project was brought to life.

During the meeting, the Armenian Patriarch expressed his high appreciation to the Acting Director of Youth Centers, Mrs. Lianna Arakelyan, to the staff of directors, and to the teachers for their zealous and hard work.

At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians wished that under the blessings of God, the students would grow tall, become strong and contribute to the building of a good and powerful Motherland.