Pontifical Visit of the Armenian Catholicos to the Armenian Diocese of Brazil
12/5/2011
On May 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians arrived in Sao Paulo, the Republic of Brazil for an official Pontifical visit to the Armenian Diocese of Brazil. Accompanying His Holiness are His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; His Grace Bishop Artak Derderian, Dean of the Monasteries of the Mother See; Rev. Fr. Anania Tsaturian, Staff-bearer of His Holiness; Rev. Fr. Adam Markarian, Secretary of the Catholicosate; and Deacon James Kalustian, Supreme Spiritual Council Member and Benefactor of the Mother See.
The Armenian Pontiff was met at the airport by His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil; Diocesan clergy; Mr. Ashot Yeghazarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Brazil; members of the Diocesan-Community Department; local representatives of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), and many faithful.
On May 7, at 10:30 a.m., a service of Hrashapar (a thanksgiving service of welcoming) was offered in the Church of St. Gevorg, with the participation of many Armenian faithful of Brazil. Present for the ceremony were also the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia, and representatives of Sister Churches. At the conclusion of the service, the faithful kissed the anointed right hand of the Armenian Pontiff and received his blessings. Following the welcoming, the Armenian Pontiff held a meeting with representatives of the Sister Churches, and assessed a great value to the cooperation and spirit of fraternal love from the Sister Churches of Brazil. His Holiness stressed the importance of the joint mission of the Churches in overcoming the current challenges of the world, and in enlightening human life with the values preached by Christ. In the “Armenian Center”, the Catholicos of All Armenians met with the Armenian youth of Brazil and extended his blessings and appreciation to them for their Church and nation-loving devotion. He discussed the current activities of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and efforts being undertaken in the cultivation of religious teachings for the new generation. His Holiness also presented the involvement of youth in the mission of the Armenian Church, and introduced the activities of the seminaries. He held a question and answer session with the youth, encouraging them to remain strong and loyal in their Church-loving feelings and patriotism.
In the afternoon, the Armenian Pontiff held a meeting with: representatives of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil; Members of the AGBU chapter in Buenos Aires, Argentina; representatives of the Armenian Relief Society Benevolent NGO of Sao Paulo and Osasko; representatives of the “Hayastan” All Armenian Fund; members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) of Sao Paulo; and with members of the Armenian Committee of Brazil. During the meeting the Armenian Pontiff encouraged the representatives and members to establish resources within the Diocese to provide for the preservation of the Church, support and well-organized implementation of the continuous activities of the Armenian school, and for the continuation and strengthening of the national and cultural organizations.
The following day, an official banquet was held. The Armenian faithful of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, following the heed of His Holiness, established a special Fund for the benefit of the Armenian school, which will contribute to the upbringing of a new generation and their Christian education. In the evening, with the blessings of the Armenian Pontiff, the opening ceremony for the Armenian Consulate of San Paulo was held. The event was organized by Mrs. Hilta Pourmanian, Honored Consul of the Republic of Armenia. In attendance for the service were Mr. Ashot Yeghazarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Brazil, Mr. Geraldo Alckmin, Governor of San Paulo, representatives of the Government of Brazil, members of the Armenian community, and the relatives of the Pourmanian family.
On May 8, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Church of St. Gevorg with the participation of many faithful, which was an exceptional event in the history of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil. Following the Liturgy, the Armenian Catholicos presided over the blessing service of a Khachkar (Cross Stone) which was placed next to the Monument of the Armenian Genocide located on the Church grounds. Following the service an official reception was held with the participation of representatives of the Sister Churches and with the Armenian faithful of Brazil.
On May 9, his Holiness left for Rio de Janeiro, capital city of Brazil, where he held a meeting with Mr. Michel Temer, Vice-President of the Republic of Brazil. During the meeting His Holiness reflected on the strengthening relationship between Armenia and Brazil, expressing his deep appreciation to the Sao Paulo Municipality for their recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness expressed his hope that the process of recognition would be continued and that the Government of Brazil would also condemn the act of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the Brazilian authorities for their care, attention and continuous support to the Armenian community. He reflected that the Armenian community had greatly contributed to the welfare and prosperity of Brazil with through national-ecclesiastical lives, and to the strengthening of the relationship between Armenian and Brazil. Vice President Temer welcomed the visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians to Brazil, expressing his confidence that the visit of the Armenian Pontiff would greatly contribute to the strengthening of the relationship and cooperation of the two countries and nations.
In the afternoon, His Holiness visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenian in Brazil, and met with Mr. Ashot Yeghazarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia. During the meeting they discussed issues of Embassy activities. The Ambassador informed His Holiness that soon a new building of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia would be constructed in Brazil through the benefaction of Mrs. Hilta Pourmanian.
