Catholicos of All Armenians Attends Event Dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the Etchmiadzin 13 Dental Clinic

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – June 2016

On June 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; attended the event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Etchmiadzin 13 French Dental Clinic, which was established through the joint efforts of the Mother See, Senator Jean-Noël Guérini, President of the Administrative Council of the Bouches-du-Rhone Province and the Altitude 5165 French-Armenian charity organization of Marseille, France.

The dental clinic, which operates under the patronage of Altitude 5165, offers free services to the disadvantaged in Vagharshapat and the surrounding area.

The event was attended by Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, Armenia Minister of Diaspora; Mr. Armen Muradyan, Armenia Minister of Health; Mr. Jean-François Charpentier, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Armenia; Mr. Ashot Ghahramanyan, Governor of Armavir; Ms. Martine Vassall, President of the Bouches-du-Rhone Provincial Council and her delegation; Mr. Robert Azilyan, President of Altitude 5165; and others guests.

The event was opened with the Lord’s Prayer, following which school children performed the national anthems of Armenia and the Republic of France.

Ms. Lusine Melikyan, General Director of the Etchmiadzin 13 Dental Clinic, gave opening remarks, presenting the story of the founding of the Dental Clinic and its 10 years of activities.

In her remarks, Ms. Vassall highlighted the successful work that has been jointly implemented, stating that it was considered an undeniable guarantee of international and inter-nation cooperation. Personally noting the commitment of the Armenian Church in this project, she stressed that without the sponsorship of the Armenian Church and the Catholicos of All Armenians, the program would not exist and such great successes would be not recorded.

The Governor of Armavir also offered his remarks. He singled out the clinic’s enormous benefits and support to students, children with disabilities and socially disadvantaged groups.

The event was brought to a close with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II. Welcoming the participants, His Holiness emphasized that the anniversary is a unique achievement in the 10 years of activities of the Etchmiadzin 13 Dental Clinic under the auspices of Altitude 5165.

In commemoration of the friendship between Marseille and Vagharshapat, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the Dental Center, His Holiness conveyed his blessings and appreciation specifically to the members of the Bouches-du-Rhone Provincial Council and Altitude 5165, for their commitment and readiness to continue the organization’s sponsorship. His Holiness stated in part: “Any person that enters this institution, understands the warm historical friendship that was formed over centuries between our two peoples and countries. Especially after Armenia’s independence, our people have benefited from the assistance of the French government and people to our Homeland. Most notably through France’s participation in the process of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country; and in the condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, to prevent such tragedies from occurring in any other person’s life. Glory to God, that such beautiful cooperation exists between our two countries”.

His Holiness asked for the Lord’s blessings, and that God keep the two friendly nations in His care and grant success and prosperity to their collaborative efforts.  At the conclusion, a tour was held of the Dental Clinic and a film shown, dedicated to their 10 years of activity.

Source: