Cameraman Suren Ter-Grigoryan

Today, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II visited operational sites of the Nakhichevan section on the Armenian-Azerbaijani inter-state border accompanied by the clergy of the Mother See. To address the link between army-church, the Armenian Patriarch stated: “Do not doubt as just like in the past, today and in the future too, the Armenian priest will stand next to the Armenian soldier, on the front line”. 

On April 14, Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians had a meeting with the Presitend of RA Armen Sargsyan and the First Lady Nune Sargsyan in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Supreme Patriarch thanked the RA President on the ceremony of the oath-taking expressing his confidence in making best use of the President's huge experience in governance for the progress of the country thus justifying the expectations of the country.

Brotherly visit of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to Vatican was completed. The spiritual and lay leaders of our country participated in the opening of the monument of St. Gregory of Narek. The Supreme Patriarch had a private talk to the Pope of Rome. To mark their brotherhood and friendship of many years, Pope Francis presented a cross decorated with images of Sistine Chapel to Karekin II. Afterwards, the leaders of Churches visited St. Peter Church. In front of the Armenian St. Patriarch Grigor Lusavorich a private prayer was delivered.

On April 4-5, the spiritual and lay delegations headed by the President of RA Serzh Sargsyan and Karekin II Catholicos were in Vatican. The Holy See inaugurated the monument of St. Gregory of Narek proclaimed as Universal Teacher.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II was in Ukraine for a two day visit. The purpose of the visit was to consecrate the newly-constructed church of St. Grigor Lusavorich in the city Dnepr. 

 

From November 1, the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church started its regular session in Los Angeles, USA. Exactly a year ago, in November 2016, with blessing of His Holiness, the Supreme Spiritual Council session held at the Eastern Diocese in the US decided by declare 2018 as a the Year of Youth. The SSC members touched upon the plans, timetable and organizational issues related to the Year of Youth. 

 

The regular outgoing session of the Supreme Spiritual Council of Holy Echmiadzin was held at the Western Armenian Diocese of the US, in Burbank, from November 1 to 3. The agenda included discussion of the draft SSC Charter, a program aimed at improving the Armenian Church's administrative-organizational activities, which will be brought to life by Aso Davidian, President of the Davidian Foundation, together with McKinsey, a company with worldwide reputation.

 

On October 30, the Catholicos of All Armenians left for Mexico City for a pontifical visit. His Holiness and his delegation were accompanied by officials, high-ranking clergymen and representatives of the local Armenian community. Catholicos of All Armenians visited the Guadalupe Church, met with the Mayor of Mexico City Miguel Ángel Mancera.

 

The highest award of the Russian Academy of Languages, the “Bethlehem Gold Star”, was handed to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

 

The Pontifical canopy bearers of the Divine Liturgy of Holy Nativity 2018 were spiritual officers of the Armed Forces. The Godfather of Water Blessing Cross was the Minister of Defense Vigen Sargsyan.