Delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church visits the Armenian Orthodox Church
Inter-Orthodox Relations
Russian-Armenian Orthodox Churches
On December 11, upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, an ecumenical delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Director of the Department of External Church Relations, paid a four-day visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The delegation members are: Metropoliton Sergi, Bishop of Solnechnogorsk, Head of the Patriarchate administration; Rev. Fr. Ioan Guayta, Dn. Ioan Kopeyki, Mr. Leonid Sebastianov, Mr. and Mrs. Palestin and Mrs. Larisa Monakhova.
His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersissian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of New Nakhijevan and Russia, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, Director of the Inter Church Relations Department, Mr. Viachislav Kovalenco, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation accredited to Armenia and Rev. Fr. Arseni Grigoriants, Pastor of the Church of St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Kanaker, greeted the delegation at the airport.
From the airport, the delegation traveled to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
His Holiness expressed his joy for their visit, stressing the importance of mutual visits as a means of strengthening the cooperation and collaboration of the friendship. The Armenian Pontiff reflected on the existing relationship between the two Churches and Pontiffs, which is contributing to the prosperity of the spiritual life of our two nations and aids in overcoming the various challenges facing the Church and society.
His Holiness also expressed his hope that in the forthcoming year the construction of the Armenian Church complex in Moscow would be finished, and that with the participation of His Holiness Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, they would hold the opening ceremony of the new center and offer the consecration of the Church. The new complex is located at the headquarters of the Diocese, and symbolizes the centuries-old friendship between the two nation.
The Armenian Pontiff also informed the delegation that the Presidential Conference of the Inter Religious Council of the CIS countries will be held in Armenia, in 2011.
Metropolitan Hilarion conveyed his warm greetings and fraternal love on behalf of His Holiness Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, also expressing his appreciation for the invitation and warm reception. He was confident that the visit was a good opportunity for learning of Church activities in different spheres and for strengthening the Inter Church Relations.
During the visit there was a reflection on the mission of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, and the problems and challenges of Ecclesiastical life. A series of issues on Inter Church and Inter Religious Relations, and the cooperation between the two Churches in the social and educational sphere were also discussed.
Present for the meeting were His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Director of the Publishing Center of the Mother See, His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisian, Primate of the Gegharkounik Diocese and Rev. Fr. Vahram Melikian, Director of Information Services of the Mother See.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Museums of the Mother See, the Spiritual center of all Armenians, to view and learn about the spiritual and historical–cultural treasures of the Armenian nation. They also toured the complex of Holy Etchmiadzin and various departments of the Mother See, to better acquaint themselves with the spiritual-educational programs, and social and Church-building activities of the Armenian Church.
On the same day, the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church visited Shoghakat TV Studio of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where Metropolitan Hilarion gave an interview, reflecting on the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church; the relationship between the other Christian Churches and religions; relations between the Church and State, the Church and Society; and various challenges.
During their four day stay, the delegation members will visit different Churches and Monasteries; and hold meetings with the Russian Community and students. They will also visit the Genocide Memorial at Tsitsernakaberd Hill.
On December 12th, the ecumenical delegation of the Russian Orthodox visited St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Kanaker, where Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk offered a Divine Liturgy. The delegation, lead by Metropolitan Hilarion, Director of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, is visiting Armenia upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion extended his message of blessings to the representatives of the Russian Community. His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, Director of the Inter Church Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, also extended his message to those present.
Following the Liturgy, the representatives of the delegation traveled to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where a private meeting was held between the Armenian Pontiff and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.
The delegation participated in the Divine Liturgy held in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. During the service, Rev. Fr. Mushegh Babayan, celebrant of the Liturgy, welcomed the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church on behalf of the Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, stressing the importance of mutual visits. Ms. Rozi Svazian, an accomplished Armenian-Italian soloist, accompanied the choir during the Divine Liturgy.
In the afternoon, the delegation traveled to the Vaskenian Theological Academy at Lake Sevan where they were received by Rev. Fr. Shnork Sargsian, Dean of the Seminary. The guests held a meeting with the seminarians and the seminarians presented a musical program in honor of their visit.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion extended his message to the students and held a question and answer session.
