Catholicos of All Armenians Received Delegation of Austrian Generals

On May 2, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed Lieutenant General Othmar Commenda, Deputy Chief of the Austrian Defence Staff; and a delegation of the Generals of the Republic of Austria. Accompanying them were Mr. Aram Marutyan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria in Armenia; and His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Head Chaplain of the Armed Forced of the Republic of Armenia.

During the meeting His Holiness presented to the guests the mission of the Armenian Church and its important role in the lives of the Armenian people. The Catholicos of All Armenians also discussed the current challenges that the Church faces, reflecting on the efforts directed towards strengthening the spiritual- moral values in society.

They also reflected on the undertakings and mission of the Chaplaincy of the Armenian Army, highlighting the importance of the role of spiritual servants in the army, who contribute to eliminating false values and reinforcing the military spirit. On this occasion His Holiness Karekin II noted that over the period of Armenian history the clergy have always stood next to the soldiers and fought together with them against the enemy during the heroic battles for the Homeland.

Lieutenant General Commenda also highlighted the importance of the mission of the chaplaincy in the army and considered essential the development of collaboration between the Army Chaplaincy programs of the two countries.

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