His Holiness Karekin II receives President of Serbia
On July 29, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received President Boris Tadich, of the Republic of Serbia, and his delegation, who were paying an official visit to Armenia. He was accompanied by Mr. Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
His Holiness welcomed the visit of the Serbian President to the center of Armenian spiritual life, and reflected on the close relationship of the two countries and nations. His Holiness expressed his hope that the visit would strengthen the relationship, for the benefit and welfare of the Armenian and Serbian peoples. He remarked on the close relationship between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the high level of fraternal cooperation in inter-church relations.
Extending his appreciation for the warm reception, President Tadich expressed his admiration of the Armenian culture and Christian values. Speaking on the significant role of the Serbian Orthodox Church, President Tadich hoped that the relations between the two Churches would be strengthened as the relationships developed between the two countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness extended his blessings and wishes to the Serbian President, offering his prayers to God for the protection and preservation of the two Christian nations. The Pontiff of All Armenians extended his greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of Serbia and to all the members of the Holy Synod.
Present for the meeting were His Grace Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian, Grant Sacristan of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Grace Bishop Paren Avedikian, Director of Administrative Affairs for the Mother See, the Ambassadors of the two countries and government representatives.
