Catholicos of All Armenians Receives World Chess Champion and World Cup Winner

June 2014

On June 24, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed Grand Master Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Chess Champion; and Grand Master Levon Aronyan, World Cup Winner; who were visiting Armenia at the invitation of the Armenian Development Initiatives Foundation and the Acronis Company.

Welcoming the visit of the chess players, the Catholicos of All Armenians highlighted that the arrival of the reigning World Chess Champion in Armenia would bring great joy to chess lovers. His Holiness proudly noted that chess has been known in Armenia since the early middle ages, and today it’s widely spread through-out the country and being included in the educational curriculum of public schools, promoting the development of children’s intellectual capabilities.
During the meeting His Holiness Karekin II informed that the crown and sash belonging to Mr. Tigran Petrosyan are kept in the Museum of the Mother See, and were bestowed upon the Catholicos Vasken I of Blessed Memory by the world champion.

Mr. Magnus Carlsen and Mr. Levon Aronyan, expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome, sharing with the Catholicos of All Armenians their impressions on the visit to Tatev Monastery. Yesterday, at the Monastery of Tatev, they had the opportunity to play matches against the clergy, as well as with the children from the communities of Tatev and Halidzor.

During the discussion they reflected on the important role of the Armenian Church in the lives of the Armenian people, the hardships they have endured over the course of history, and the current efforts in making the religious mission more productive.

At the conclusion His Holiness offered his blessings to the chess players, wishing them new victories and urging them to serve as role models, so that competition can serve for peace, reinforcing solidarity among nations and harmonious co-existence.

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