Catholicos of All Armenians Received Pilgrims from Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – July 2016

On July 26, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; welcomed pilgrims from the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. They were accompanied by Rev. Fr. Komitas Zohrabyan, spiritual pastor of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, Illinois.

Introducing the pilgrims to the Catholicos of All Armenians, Fr. Komitas spoke about their impressions of the homeland and asked for the blessing of His Holiness.

His Holiness welcomed the visit of the pilgrims to the Homeland and to the Spiritual Center of All Armenians and extended his appreciation to Fr. Komitas, through whose initiative the Armenians had traveled to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Reflectin on the soul-saving mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, His Holiness Karekin II noted that for centuries the Armenian Church has also assumed the responsibility of preserving the national identity both in the Homeland and in Diaspora.

The Catholicos of All Armenians, emphasizing the need for organizing future pilgrimages, also noted that pilgrimages are the best way to reinforce and strengthen the consciousness of an Armenians’ identity. His Holiness stated, that pilgrimages to the Homeland provide an opportunity for Armenians personal growth as deserving children of the Homeland, and as descendents of their who created a rich cultural heritages.

During the meeting, they reflected on the mission of the Armenian Church in the field of education. His Holiness answered additional questions from the pilgrims.

At the conclusion, His Holiness conveyed his Pontifical blessings to the pilgrims and offered his prayers to Almighty God, asking that He always bless and protect them.

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