Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On 25 May, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; presided over the annual clergy conference of the Armenian and Artsakh Dioceses. The meeting was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Diocesan primates, 45 members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See and 184 married priests attended the meeting.

The night prior to the Conference, the clergy, led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, attended Evening Services in the Mother Cathedral, and then the conference began its work in the Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.

The meeting opened with the Lord’s Prayer, following which a prayer was raised to God for the souls of priests who died in the last year and also for the souls of the brave Armenian soldiers killed defending the Homeland. Opening remarks were made by His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak.

Welcoming the clergy on behalf of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Bishop Michael reflected on the agenda of the meeting, expressing confidence that the respectable organization of the clergy is a guarantee of new achievements and accomplishments, for the sake of God’s glory, nation building, and strengthening of the Armenian Church. On behalf of the clergy, Bishop Mikael expressed a wish that Lord keep the land of Ararat: through the intercession of the martyred nuns [St. Hripsime, St. Gayane and their companions], and in the vision of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

The assembly agenda included issues related to pastoral and liturgical life, as well as promotional, and educational activities.

Reports were given by Rev. Fr. Zohrap Manasyan from the Diocese of Kotayk and Rev. Fr. Nshan Panfiorov from the Diocese of Shirak.

Rev. Fr. Shavarsh Simonyan from the Diocese of Tavoush presented a report regarding the educational activities of the parish priests.

Following the discussions the clergymen issued the following statement:

“We, as the clergy of the Armenian and Artsakh Dioceses, give glory to God that under the presidency and blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and under the leadership of our primates, we are united in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to reflect on pastoral life and mission.

We extend our support and love towards our brave soldiers defending the borders of the homeland and brave commanders and their family members, praying for a lasting peace and stability of the Armenian nation.

Concerned about the volatile situation in the Middle East, we express hope that the international community will find ways for peaceful and fair resolution, also ensuring a secure life for our compatriots.

We pray for the rest of the souls of the Armenian soldiers who have been killed during the Nagorno Karabakh war, especially during the recent military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan along the border of Nagorno Karabakh, and ask for the assistance of the Holy Spirit to comfort their mourning parents and family. We wish the wounded a speedy recovery.

We are confident that the spirit of the May victories will be persistent in the life of the Armenians, both in the peaceful creative work and in the sacred case of defending the homeland borders.

Empowered by the intercession of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, gazing at the light rising from Khor Virap and established on the eternal mission of Mother See, we will continue our unconditional service to our faithful”.

The meeting ended with the blessing and remarks of the Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness expressed satisfaction on the occasion of the meeting.

His Holiness noted that it was praiseworthy the during the meeting issues and problems concerning the Armenian Church and the clergymen were raised, which gave an opportunity for reflection and finding ways for a more effective organization of spiritual service.

The Catholicos of All Armenians urged the clergy to continue their zealous and devoted service to the people and put all their efforts into maintaining the reputation of the Armenian Church.

His Holiness also reflected on the efforts of the Brotherhood of Mother See, the dioceses of Armenia and Diaspora and the diocesan structures during the recent upheavals in Artsakh. “The spirit and zeal manifested by our diocesan clergy and church leaders deserves appreciation. They tried to do everything in order to support our soldiers who are defending our borders, their families and the wounded. And even today they continue to be in position, alongside our soldiers guarding the country's borders, and support the brave soldiers through their words and deeds.

Consistent work must continue to be implemented, so that our army will be strong”, stated His Holiness, informing the conference about the support being offered by the Social Service Department of Mother See to the families of the dead and wounded soldiers.

Praying for Homeland peace, His Holiness expressed his with that the clergy raise the national consciousness and patriotic spirit through the wonderment of the May victories. He stressed that only through that spirit is it possible to address all the challenges facing the country.

Following the formal meeting, the participants of the Conference attended Evening Services in the Mother Cathedral.