Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On November 3-5 under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Supreme Spiritual Council meeting was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

At the beginning of the meeting the Catholicos of All Armenians offered his blessings to the participants, wishing them a productive meeting. His Holiness also expressed his appreciation to the members for the dedicated service to the Armenian Church.

The co-chairman for the meeting were; His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Vicar General of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople; His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; and His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

Issues related to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin- Hierarchical Sees relations, diocesan activities, ecumenical relations of the Armenian Church, and liturgical-disciplinary problems were discussed during the meeting.

On November 3rd, a report was made by His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, regarding the participation of the Armenian Church in the commemorative services and events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Receiving the report, the Supreme Spiritual Council expressed appreciation to the organizing committee.

The Supreme Spiritual Council was briefed on the current situation in the Middle East, and the problems of the Armenian communities in Syria. Reflecting on the assistance rendered to Syria by the Hierarchical Sees of the Armenian Church and the diocesan structures, including material aid, it was approved that the Mother See will continue to offer her support to the Armenian communities in Syria, as well as the Syrian-Armenian families in need, living in Armenia.

A report on the Armenian Church communities in Belgium was made by Rev. Fr. Paruyr Avetisyan, Director of the Intra-Church Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan, Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, conveyed additional information.

The Supreme Spiritual Council also reflected on the church Diocesan structures. As a result of the discussions, it was planned to convene a National-Ecclesiastical Assembly in the Mother See. Relevant committees were created.

Rev. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan presented a report on the activities of the newly created department for the Bishops’ Synod. The council outlined the scope of future activities.

At the beginning of the 4th session, the Supreme Spiritual Council, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; offered a prayer for the souls of the departed Armenians who were killed in the Moscow-Yerevan bus crash in Tula, Russia.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council congratulated His Holiness on the occasion of his 16th anniversary of enthronement, wishing him longevity and fruitful pastoral activity, for the glory of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and for the benefit of the faithful Armenians.

The council session ended with a closing prayer.

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