Catholic Pilgrims Visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
19.05.2016
On May 19, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received pilgrims from the Trier Catholic Diocese of Germany.
At the beginning of the meeting, Ms. Katharina Wortmann-Zay, theologian and assistant to the Primate of the Trier Diocese, expressed gratitude to His Holiness on behalf of the pilgrims, reflecting on the group’s impressions of Armenia’s churches and historical-cultural monuments. She also read greetings and a message from The Right Reverend Stephan Ackermann, Bishop of Trier; addressed to His Holiness Karekin II.
The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and message to the Catholic pilgrims. His Holiness welcomed the visit of Sister Church pilgrims to Armenia and stressed the importance of undertaking such pilgrimages to countries with rich Christian heritage.
His Holiness noted that their pilgrimage comes on the eve of the arrival of Pope Francis to Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in June. His Holiness stated that the Armenian nation awaits the Pope's visit with appreciative feelings, which will also contribute to the strengthening and consolidation of cooperation and friendly relations between the two Churches. The Armenian Pontiff informed the pilgrims that during the visit of the Pontiff of the Sister Church, they would offer a united prayer for the sake of world peace.
During the meeting, His Holiness answered questions regarding the promotional activities of the Church, Church-state relations, as well as the peaceful coexistence of the followers of different religions. A particular reference was made to the steps taken for the conservation and restoration of the sanctuaries of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In this regard, His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the members of the "Europa Nostra" international organization, for the support provided by the organization for the restoration of Armenian sanctuaries.
At the conclusion, His Holiness conveyed his greetings to Bishop Stephan Ackermann.
Attended the meeting was His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
