Supreme Spiritual Council Meets in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Armenian Orthodox Church – March 2014

From March 11 through 13, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a regular meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council was held with the general members, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

His Holiness Karekin II offered his appreciation and blessings to the Council members for their devotion and commitment in helping to overcome the challenges that the Mother See faces, and making the mission of the Armenian Church more productive.

Chairing the meeting sessions were His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

The Catholicos of All Armenians presented the current status on the restoration and reconstruction projects of the Mother Cathedral, stating that the exploration and reinforcement work had already completed and the construction process was going to begin soon. His Holiness noted that currently they were seeking financial assistance for the reconstruction of the Mother Cathedral.

Archbishop Khajag, Co- Chairman of the organizing committee for the upcoming Bishops Synod, provided information about the preparatory works for the meetings, being held in November, 2014. The Supreme Spiritual Council favorably appraised the efforts of the preparatory committees of the conference, and provided input on the agenda items of the meeting.

His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, Primate of the Tavush Diocese and Co- Chairman of the Canonization Committee of the Armenian Church; and His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Director of the Office on Ecclesiastical Liturgical Issues of the Mother See, Member of the committee; presented a report on the work of the canonization of the Armenian Genocide victims. The Council members expressed their appreciation to the committee, reflecting on the procedures of canonization, preparation process of icons and martyrology, as well as details concerning the declaration of sainthood.

His Grace Bishop Arshak Kachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See, presented a report on the Diocesan-Representative Assembly meeting. The Supreme Spiritual Council made a decision to hold a meeting from September 7 through 9 of this year, outlining the agenda of the meeting. The Council discussed the draft of the by-laws for the Diocesan-Representative Assembly, drafted by Archbishop Yeznik and his committee. The draft proposal is to be presented to the Assembly for approval.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Co- Chairman of the Committee organizing events on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; presented a report on the events being held by the Mother See. As a result of the discussions they finalized the list of the programs and activities organized under the auspices of the Mother See. With the attendance of the Catholicos of All Armenians, commemoration ceremonies, inter- church conferences and ceremonies of ecumenical prayer will be held in the Armenian communities in the Diaspora, as well as international youth religious meetings will be held, documentary exhibitions about genocide will be presented in the Dioceses and other various events. The Council members expressed their appreciation to the committee, urging them to carry on with their effort of organizing activities.

The Supreme Spiritual Council held a discussion regarding the upcoming service of the Blessing of the Holy Chrism (Muron) in 2015. His Grace Bishop Arshak Kachatryan reported that the committee created by His Holiness Karekin II had already stated its preparatory works for the Blessing of Holy Muron services. On this occasion the Council directed the committee to provide invitations to the Sister Churches and exhorted the Diocesan Primates in the Diaspora to urge their people to participate in this event so vital in the national and church life.

The Council members were also presented with the annual report of the works of the departments and programs of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2013; the Pontifical receptions and visits over the last year; ecumenical projects undertaken; a report on the Brotherhood of the Mother See; and the preaching, educational and social mission of the Church.

In 2013 the Catholicos of All Armenians held over 70 official meetings with church and state high ranking officials and delegations. His Holiness Karekin II has visited the Dioceses of the Armenian Church in Great Britain, North America, France, Sweden, New Nakhijevan and Russia, attending various religious- cultural events, offering his paternal blessings to the faithful children of the Church.

The Catholicosate of All Armenians has 676 clergymen : there are 53 Bishops and Archbishops, 46 Reverend and Very Reverend Fathers, 50 celibate priests, 421 priests and 106 deacons serving in different Dioceses and institutions of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. 47 spiritual servants offer their services in the Armenian Forces of the Republic of Armenia. There are 219 students and disciples studying in the religious- educational institutions working under the auspices of the Mother See: the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, Vaskenian Theological Academy in Sevan, and Harichavanq Trpanchyan High School. 7 Youth Centers operating through the joint sponsorship of the Mother See and AGBU; educate more than 3,000 children and youth, and in 2013 organized over 176 various events on the occasion of church, national and state Feast days.

Social projects of the Mother See are increasing and to make their implementation more efficient, the Department of Social Services was opened in the Mother See. The Bishops Synod held in September 2013, made a decision to establish a fund with an initial endowment of 2,000,000 USD for providing assistance to the socially disadvantaged Armenian children in Armenia, Artsakh and Syria. The Mother See has also supported the Armenian community and national institutions in Syria, as well as the Armenian Syrian families in Armenia over the course of the year.

During the meeting the Catholicos of All Armenians announced the appointment of new members of the Supreme Spiritual Council: His Eminence Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany; His Grace Bishop Haigazun Najarian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, and His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the United Kingdom. Retiring member of the Council are: His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian; His Eminence Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian; and His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian of blessed memory. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the former members of the Council for their devoted and fruitful service.

Discussed during the meeting were also issues concerning the Armenian Dioceses in France, Canada, Sweden, Brazil and Georgia; the Armenian Church communities in Holland and Belgium, as well as disciplinary matters.

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