Catholicos of All Armenians Received Families of Soldiers Killed in Berd – Tavush Province

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – 14/1/17

On 11 January, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the families of soldiers killed in the Berd, Tavush Province. The meeting was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They were accompanied by His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Diocese of Tavush.

Bishop Bagrat, congratulated the Catholicos of All Armenians on behalf of the people of Tavush, on the occasion of New Year and Christmas holidays. He wished His Holiness good health, long life and fruitful activity. The Primate also expressed his deepest gratitude to His Holiness for the special attention provided towards the people of Tavush.

The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and best wishes to the 19 mothers and 39 youth in attendance.

His Holiness expressed his hope that the visit would leave an indelible mark on the souls of the youth and through their spiritual pastors, they would come to associate with the values represented in the wonderment of Holy Etchmiadzin, through which their fathers were inspired and henceforth children of the Armenian nation will be inspired.

His Holiness urged the children and youth to implement the desires and wishes that their mothers and fathers had since the first day of their birth, and who gave their lives for the peace of the Homeland, noting that their parent’s valiant spirit would accompany them throughout life. “Children of brave men are brave too. You bear that valiant spirit in you, by living in border villages and safeguarding our borders and our country’s peace through your life”, stated His Holiness. He expressed his wish that they live under God’s blessings and protection.

Expressing appreciation to the Diocesan Primate, spiritual servants of the Diocese and the visit organizers, the Catholicos of All Armenians asked the Lord to keep Armenia and her people under his Holy Right Hand.

At the conclusion, the youth surprised the Pontiff, presenting them with their handmade works, as well as performed folk songs and recitations. In return His Holiness distributed gifts to the children. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will also organize a pilgrimage for them in the summer.

The meeting was attended by Rev. Fr. Aram Mirzoyan and Rev. Fr. Abel Kartashyan, spiritual pastors of the Berd region; Mr. David Mkhitaryan, representative of the Governor of the Tavush Province; Military Commissar Lieutenant Colonel Gagik Khachatryan; Mr. Karo Arakelyan, who sponsored the two-day visit; and Mr. Alik Avagyan, who had contributed to the organizational activities.

The participants toured the Mother Cathedral and offered prayers, and visited the Mother See museums and other structures.

The families will also visit various cultural institutions in Yerevan and festive events will be organized for the children.

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