Visit of the Anglican Pilgrims to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

June 2014

On June 6, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed a group of pilgrims from the Anglican Church. Accompanying them were Very Rev. Fr. Geoffrey Marshall, Dean of the Diocesan Cathedral of Swansea and Brecon in Wales; and Rev. Fr. John Barker, Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Armenia.

Father Marshall introduced the pilgrims of Wales and their religious life, expressing his joy for the honor of receiving blessings from the Catholicos of All Armenians.

His Holiness Karekin II offered his blessings and best wishes to the pilgrims. His Holiness highlighted the importance of the visit of pilgrims from other Christian Churches to Armenia and the Spiritual Centre of All Armenians, learning about the history of the Armenian people, their sacred virtues and religious values.

The Catholicos of All Armenians reflected on the past and present path of the Armenian Church and the Armenian nation, as well as the hardships during the 20th century. On this occasion His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the people of Wales for recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, noting that this act only can prevent such tragedies from happening again in the lives of the people.

During the meeting they also discussed the projects of the Armenian Diocese in Great Britain and the collaboration between the Armenian and Anglican Churches in the sphere of education.

Present at the meeting was also His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manoukian, Director of the Inter- Church Relations Department of the Mother See and Primate of the Artik Diocese.

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