Supreme Spiritual Council Convenes in the Mother See

On June 1, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The meeting’s agenda included issues on Intra-Church and Inter-Church Relations of the Armenian Church.

His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosian, General Secretary of Inter-Church Relations of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presented a report on the preliminary works of the official visit by the Catholicos of All Armenians to Georgia.

Upon the invitation of His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, and the invitation of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, the pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin II is being planned to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Diocese of Georgia. Archbishop Yeznik informed the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council that the visit of His Holiness has been postponed until October at the request of the Georgian Patriarch and the Armenian Diocesan Council of Georgia. The revised plans include His Holiness Karekin II to be hosted by His Holiness Ilia II of Georgia from 22-23 October. Then from 24-28 October, the Catholicos of All Armenians will conduct a pontifical visit to the Armenian Diocese of Georgia – the Armenian communities in the cities of Tbilisi and Javakhk.

The Supreme Spiritual Council noting the recent changes implemented in the Armenian public education system, reflected on the current issue of opening foreign schools in Armenia. The council discussed the suggested legislative initiatives and the present concerns of civil society. The Supreme Spiritual Council is encouraging the Government of the Republic of Armenia to take drastic measures to openly discuss the issues related to the opening of foreign schools and clarify the details with all interested and affected parties, organizations, and the public at large. A committee was formed to study the details of the process and to report to the members of the Council.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness offered his remarks and conveyed his pontifical blessings and appreciation to the members of the Council.

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