Catholicos of All Armenians received Nikolai Ryzhkov – Chairman of the Armenian-Russian Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
On November 1, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr. Nikolai Ryzhkov, Chairman of the Armenian-Russian Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and the delegation of the Council members of the Russian Federation; in the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Library of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They were accompanied Ms. Hermine Naghdalyan, Vice Chair of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. On this occasion, Mr. Ryzhkov was awarded the “St. Sahak-St. Mesrop” Medal of Honor by the Catholicos of All Armenians, in recognition of the considerable efforts extended to the Armenian people, and the great contribution of strengthening the friendship between Armenia and Russia.
Mrs. Hermine Naghdalian spoke on the life of Mr. Ryzhkov; presenting his considerable works and activities, highlighting the dedication that Mr. Nikolai Ryzhkov has shown towards Armenia and her people for the last several decades.
Following the reading of the biography, the “St. Sahak-St. Mesrop” Medal of Honor, was processed in under the singing of hymns. In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed the visit of Mr. Ryzhkov to the spiritual center of All Armenians and congratulated him on the occasion of his 85th birthday, wishing him a long life and new accomplishments in his dedicated work. Speaking on the important contribution of Nikolai Ryzhkov in the life of the Armenians, as well as his constant expressions of care and concern towards the Armenian Church; His Holiness spoke appreciatively on the valuable service that Mr. Ryzhkov has brought to the Armenia-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee; for more effective cooperation between the two countries and strengthening the centuries old friendship of the two nations.
At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Ryzhkov offerred his heart-felt remarks, expressing his gratitude and appreciation to the Armenian Patriarch for the high honor and reward, and assured His Holiness that he would cherish this gift of the Armenian Church and was inspired to zealously further his mission.
Attending the meeting and presentation were His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhanissyan; Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan; Chancellor of the Catholicosate of All Armenians; and His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan; Grand Sacristan of the Mother See.
