Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On July 7, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the participants of the Pan-Armenian pilgrimage entitled "Holy Etchmiadzin- the Birthplace of our Faith" held in Armenia from July 5 to 10.

The pilgrimage was organized by the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYOWorld).

At the meeting, Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Tovma Khachatryan, ACYOWorld spiritual Dean, Head of the Central Office, asking for the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, presented the pilgrimage program and informed that about 150 young people from the Hierarchal Sees, Patriarchal Delegations, various dioceses of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora are participating in the Pan-Armenian pilgrimage.

The attendees were also greeted by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderyan, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and Spiritual Pastor of the ACYOWorld, noting that church-loving young people are a golden bridge connecting the past with the future, and today they have come to be repaired with the sacrament of Holy Etchmiadzin and to receive the paternal blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Then the Patriarch of Armenia conveyed his message to the young people, expressing his joy at the opportunity to see the Armenian youth from all over the world united in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

His Holiness emphasized that the title of the Pan-Armenian pilgrimage, "Holy Etchmiadzin- the birthplace of our faith", is symbolic, as this year marks the 1720th anniversary of the foundation of the Mother Cathedral.

"Holy Etchmiadzin is God's grace and gift, which nourished our people with faith, with which the Armenian identity, character and spirit, the entire national and spiritual value system were formed," stated the Catholicos of All Armenians, affirming that thanks to the strong Christian faith, the children of the Armenian people were able to face all the difficulties and trials they faced.

In this regard, His Holiness emphasized that the Armenian people continue to fight for the sake of faith and homeland against various challenges, such as globalization, spiritual and moral foreign values, the blockade of Artsakh, Azerbaijani encroachments on the native borders and the nation's dangerous problems.

The Catholicos of All Armenians urged the young pilgrims to raise their voices in their own country for the protection of the right to a free and independent life of the Artsakh Armenians, as well as for the prevention of Azerbaijan's expansionist ambitions. The Armenian Patriarch told the Armenians not to underestimate their abilities and to make efforts with the youth fervor in the task of strengthening and building the motherland and for the benefit of the nation's children in need. His Holiness urged the pilgrims to keep intact the national, spiritual and moral value system, as well as the traditions and sanctities inherited from our fathers.

During the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the pilgrimage, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderyan, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and Spiritual Pastor of the ACYOWorld and Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Tovma Khachatryan, ACYOWorld spiritual Dean, Head of the Central Office for organizing the activities with the youth unions more efficiently and supporting patriotic programs.

The Armenian Patriarch also conveyed his blessing to all diocesan Primates who encourage and sponsor the pro-church mission of church-loving youth associations.

At the conclusion, the Armenian Patriarch wished the pilgrim Armenians that the Lord would listen to their requests and renew and strengthen their vow.