Catholicos of All Armenians Received the Conference Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
19/6/14
On June 18, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the 6th conference of the Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See was commenced.
On June 16, in the Vache and Tamar Manoukian Library, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed the members of the brotherhood visiting the Mother See on the occasion of the conference.
Following the Lord’s Prayer, Rev. Fr. Komitas Hovnanyan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, expressed his filial appreciation to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the opportunity to gather the members of the brotherhood in the Mother See. Father Komitas noted that on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the conference would serve as an occasion for meditation, renewal of their oath to clerical service, and to show appreciation and acknowledgement for their spiritual mission. On behalf of the members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See, Father Komitas confirmed the loyalty of the brotherhood members to Holy Etchmiadzin, and the oath of reinforcement to the Catholicos of All Armenians, stating his confidence that with their service they would continue being devout servants of the Armenian nation, Homeland and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness Karekin II offered his message and blessings to those present. Expressing his appreciation to the members of the brotherhood for their loyalty to the Mother See and the selfless service to the faithful, the Catholicos of All Armenians confirmed that the expansion of the brotherhood ranks not only brought joy and comfort to the His Holiness, but also inspired faith and hope to the faithful, of the vibrant future of the Church. His Holiness Karekin II welcomed the attendance of the representatives of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.
In his message the Catholicos of All Armenians gladly noted that the clerical conference, traditionally convening once every two years in the Mother See, was a beautiful occasion for the renewal of the brotherhood oath, reinforcement of the spirit of love and partnership, passing on pastoral experience to the younger clergymen, as well as discussing various issues concerning the national- church life.
His Holiness reflected with appreciation that due to the spiritual servants of the Church, the devoted service of the faithful people, and their united efforts; the church is flourishing, and every year the number of Armenians involved in the church and spiritual life increases. The Catholicos of All Armenians also noted with pain that on that same path, unwanted and destructive events also occur, concerning the church and her followers. His Holiness urged the clergymen to implement all efforts, and with their committed and commendable service, try to keep the people away from harmful deeds, uniting them around the true faith and the national values of our fathers.
His Holiness Karekin II expressed his wish that the conference would give each member of the brotherhood the opportunity to reflect on his calling, also becoming a meditative occasion of spiritual healing and self-examination.
On the same day, in the St. Hripsime Church, the clergymen attended the Divine Liturgy offered on the occasion of the Feast of St. Hripsime.
