Catholicos Karekin II of all Armenia Receives Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilica

The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church – May 2014

On the evening of May 26, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilica, arrived in Armenia to attend the fourth session of the State Committee coordinating the events dedicated to the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed Catholicos Aram I to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin at the Gate of King Trdat. Accompanied by the Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See, the Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I entered the Mother Cathedral under the singing of “Hrashapar”.

Following a special blessing service, His Holiness Karekin II greeted the visit of Catholicos Aram I to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Catholicos of All Armenians was confident that notwithstanding a busy schedule, they would have the occasion to extend their pontifical message and blessings to the faithful, calling them into unity and patriotic service, and wishing that the Armenian people always be victorious throughout history, preserving a peaceful and undisturbed life.

His Holiness Karekin II exhorted the Almighty to reinforce the productive and unfailing service of all the diligent servants of the Armenian Church, offering His praise and appreciation to God for granting such opportunities to meet and extend their united prayers to God for the safe and prosperous life of the Armenian people and the welfare and progress of the Homeland.

Catholicos Aram I expressed his joy on being present in the Mother See, offering the opporunity to regain the pilgrimage rite and strengthen the faith. His Holiness Aram I also reflected on the service of the Armenian clergy towards the Homeland and its people, highlighting, “The Mother Land is the home of the sacred faith, and throughout history our people have spilled their blood in the name of the Homeland. The defense, freedom and independence of the Homeland are a major value for all of us. Today we are encouraged to further reinforce the independence of Armenia, which requires even greater sacrifices. All of us are called to commit to the nation- building efforts as the servants of the Armenian Church, as the Armenian Church and Armenian clergymen, both in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The ceremony was closed with blessings and united prayers of the Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I.

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