Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On October 9, a meeting of bishops serving at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, diocesan primates in Armenia, and locum tenentes of diocesan primates was held under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Having discussed the unlawful campaign launched against the Armenian Church by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the initiatives undertaken in the National Assembly in connection with this campaign, the participants issued the following statement.

On October 8, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin a group of Catholic pilgrims from a parish community in Milan, Italy. Extending his blessing to those present, His Holiness spoke about the Armenian Church's mission, emphasizing the role of the Christian faith in shaping and preserving the Armenian people's national identity and culture. In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized the importance of such visits in deepening mutual understanding and strengthening ties between Christian communities. The Armenian Pontiff also noted with satisfaction the warm, fraternal relations between the Armenian and Catholic Churches. In conclusion, His Holiness wished the pilgrims a blessed pilgrimage to Armenia’s sacred sites, expressing confidence that their visit would serve as a grace-filled source of spiritual inspiration and a means of strengthening their faith.

On October 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, met at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with leading lawyers, human rights defenders, and experts in constitutional law. During the meeting, participants discussed current issues in Church–State relations and National Assembly initiatives concerning the Armenian Church. The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessing to the participants and expressed his appreciation for their steadfast efforts to protect the rights of the Armenian Church, emphasizing the importance of their professional assistance in identifying legal avenues to address the challenges facing the Church.

On October 5, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received a delegation from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, led by António Feijó, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Extending his Patriarchal blessing to those present, His Holiness highly commended the Foundation’s humanitarian mission and its valuable activities aimed at advancing education, science, and culture in various countries. The Armenian Pontiff particularly emphasized the importance of the Foundation’s initiatives to strengthen Armenia and Armenian communities throughout the Diaspora.

By the Patriarchal Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, new appointments have been made among the clergy. The Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Andranik Gevorgyan, having been relieved of his duties as Abbot of the Monastery of St. Hripsime, has been appointed Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Iraq. The Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Zareh Kabaghyan, having been relieved of his spiritual duties in the Diocese of Vayots Dzor, has been appointed Abbot of the Monastery of St. Hripsime. The Rev. Fr. Hieromonk Mkhitar Yepremyan, having been relieved of his duties at the Gevorgian Theological Seminary, has been sent to Italy for studies. The Hon. Fr. Mambre Hmayakyan, having been relieved of his spiritual duties in the Diocese of Armavir, has been appointed to serve at the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Almelo, the Netherlands, under the jurisdiction of the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe.

On October 4, Ms. Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office, attended the Divine and Immortal Liturgy at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin after arriving in Armenia to participate in the Second Prayer Breakfast held in Yerevan on October 2–3. Following the sacred service, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received the Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office at his residence. His Holiness welcomed Ms. White-Cain’s visit to Armenia and the spiritual center of all Armenians, noting that it provided a fitting opportunity to become better acquainted with the country, the first to proclaim Christianity as its state religion, as well as the Armenian people and their rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

On October 2, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received a delegation from Argentina at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, comprising members of the Senate and political figures. During the meeting, His Holiness noted that the delegation’s visit was another testament to the friendship between the Armenian and Argentine peoples, emphasizing the importance of such meetings in deepening mutual understanding and strengthening the ties between the two peoples.

On October 2, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a solemn ceremony marked the opening of a workshop to restore and conserve museum objects at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Established at the initiative of the Catholicos of All Armenians in the “Alex and Marie Manoogian” Treasury, the workshop has been equipped with the necessary equipment through the Government of Japan’s Cultural “Grassroots” Grant Program, with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Armenia and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

By the Patriarchal Decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, effective October 1 of this year, His Grace Bishop Makar Hakobyan has been relieved of his duties as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Vayots Dzor, a position he had held concurrently. Rev. Fr. Movses Archimandrite Sargsyan has been appointed Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Vayots Dzor.

On September 29, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin former U.S. Congressman Randy Hultgren, Wes Anderson, co-organizer of the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast, and Dan Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of Spryng Energy, accompanied by Mr. Ashot Tunyan, a benefactor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The guests arrived in Armenia to attend the Prayer Breakfast in Yerevan on October 2–3. On this occasion, they also visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to learn more about the history and mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. During the meeting, they referenced the Armenian Church's mission to provide for the spiritual salvation and preservation of the Armenian people, and they particularly emphasized its exceptional role in forming and preserving the Armenian people's spiritual culture and national identity.

On September 28, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the participants of a pilgrimage organized by the “Hay Ard Tun” organization of the Armenian Diocese of Canada. The Armenian Patriarch conveyed his blessing and good wishes to those present, expressing appreciation for the Canadian-Armenian community’s love for the Church and devotion to the Homeland. His Holiness emphasized the important role of pilgrimages in strengthening faith, preserving national identity, and strengthening ties with the Homeland and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

On September 28, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the participants of the Pan-Armenian Conference of the “Hay Dat” Committees and Offices of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). Hagop Der Khatchadourian, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee Central Council of “Hay Dat,” presented the conference's work to His Holiness, highlighting the priorities of the Armenian Cause structures and their upcoming programs. His Holiness then offered his blessing and appreciation to those present, underscoring the importance of sustained efforts to defend Armenian interests on international platforms and bring pan-Armenian issues to the international community's attention.

On September 27, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Father Michael Thomsen, Chairman of the Danish-Armenian Charitable Mission NGO, and members of the organization’s Board of Trustees, accompanied by Executive Director Arshavir Gabujyan. During the meeting, His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the organization’s leadership for its longstanding cooperation with the Armenian Church, as well as for the educational and humanitarian programs it implements in Armenia.