President of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society Visits Mother See

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – August 2016

On August 29, Mr. Sergei Stepashin, President of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society International NGO; and his delegation, visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The guests were welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of Mother See. Archbishop Nathan conveyed the blessings and greetings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Archbishop Nathan congratulated Mr. Stepashin on opening a permanent branch of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society in Armenia, and emphasized the company’s mission of pilgrimages to various countries, development of religious tourism, implementation of scientific research and notably, the protection of rights of Christians in the Middle East.

Mr. Stepashin expressed his joy on the occasion of the visit to Holy Etchmiadzin, and presented the company’s current activities and future programs, and noting with satisfaction the close cooperation with the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

During the meeting, they also highlighted the unification of efforts by Christian churches, in building a prosperous and secure world.

At the conclusion, Mr. Stepashin presented the Order “Star of Bethlehem” which was bestowed to the Catholicos of All Armenians by the decision of the organization’s International Council.

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