Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 23, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the delegation headed by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille.

Father Aliaksandr Rahinia, the adjutant of affairs of the Holy See in RA, was also present at the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, His Holiness noted that the delegation's visit to Armenia takes place in these precious days, when the Armenian people commemorate the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Speaking about the crime that happened a century ago, His Holiness painfully referred to a new genocide in the life of the Armenian people: the ethnic cleansing carried out by Azerbaijan and the depopulation of Artsakh.

His Holiness, referring to the challenges and security issues facing Armenia, expressed confidence that the Armenian people will be able to overcome the existing difficulties with their trust in God and love for their country, as well as with the support of friendly peoples.

At the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the Roman Catholic Church for the support shown to Armenia and Artsakh Armenians in these difficult days.

During the conversation, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, on behalf of the Catholic Church of France, expressed his support to the Armenian people and the Armenian Patriarch. The Cardinal also referred to the warm relations and cooperation between the Armenian community of Marseille and the Catholic Church.

At the conclusion, the Armenian Patriarch conveyed his paternal greetings and best wishes to the Holy Patriarch of Rome.