Catholicos of All Armenians Meets Representatives of Youth Organizations

On January 11, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed members of the Diocesan Youth Organizations of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, non- governmental organizations and Student Associations in the Events Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The young people were visiting the Mother See to offer their congratulations to His Holiness on the occasion of New Year and Christmas and receive a Pontifical blessing and message.

Mr. Gevorg Mkrtchyan, Director of the Central Office of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of the Armenian Church, gave opening remarks, and congratulated the Catholicos of All Armenians on behalf of the youth, on the occasion of New Year and Christmas.  His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Director of the Office on　Ecclesiastical Liturgical　Issues of the Mother See, addressed the youth, noting that their presence in the Mother See brought new spirit and joy to everyone for carrying on their God- pleasing life and forging a radiant and bright future for the Armenian people.

The Gevorkian Theological Seminary Choir presented a performance of religious and national songs.

His Holiness Karekin II offered his Pontifical blessings and appreciation to the youth representatives. The Catholicos of All Armenians wished that the year of 2014 bring joy, bliss and success to the young people. His Holiness noted that with God’s blessing they must do their best in making the new year blessed, not only for each Armenian but also for the whole Armenian nation and humanity. The Catholicos of All Armenians urged the young people to take advantage of their visit to the Spiritual Centre of All Armenians, and offer their prayers in the Mother Cathedral to restore their oath with God, living within God’s commandments and contributing to the progress of the Homeland, shaping a flourishing future for the nation.

Following his remarks, His Holiness held a question and answer session with the youth.  He answered questions regarding the Church projects for the upcoming 100th anniversary of the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in 2015. They also discussed the canonization of Genocide victims; collaboration between the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the Catholicosate　of　Great House　of Cilicia; the preaching projects of the Church; the current state of the Armenian community in Syria and support offered to the Syrian Armenians; spiritual service being offered through the Armenian Church Chaplaincy Program, and current Church – State relations.

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