Catholicos of All Armenians Received Representatives from Cyprus
24.04.2016
On April 24 in the Mother See, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr. Sophocles Fittis, Vice-Chairman of the House of Representatives of Cyprus and Head of the Cyprus delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; and Mr. Constantine Christofides, Rector of the University of Cyprus. They were accompanied by Mr. Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice President of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly. The representatives had arrived in Armenia to attend the second Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide”.
His Holiness welcomed the representatives from Cyprus and noted that it is pleasing that on April 24, a sacred day for the Armenian nation, to see delegates of various nations in Armenia. His Holiness spoke about the historical analogies of the two friendly peoples, adding that he is well aware of the injustices perpetrated against Cyprus and her great sufferings. His Holiness presented the immense losses of the Armenian Church during the Armenian Genocide and the restoration activities undertaken in recent decades.
His Holiness expressed confidence that through the faith of the two Christian nations and the reinforcment of the states, as well as the honest efforts of the peace-loving international community, that justice will prevail.
Vice Chairman Fittis reflected on his impressions of the international conference, once again conveying the support of the people of Cyprus to the Armenians. Mr. Fittis spoke also about the activities of the Armenian community of Cyprus, and emphasized the warm relations between the Armenian Apostolic and Orthodox Churches of Cyprus.
Rector Christofides offered heart-felt remarks on the wonder of the day, specifically noting the joint implementation of inter-cultural and educational programs, the teaching of the Armenian language by the University of Cyprus, as well as the intentions for an exchange of students.
During the meeting, they also spoke about the Karabakh conflict, particularly about the military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan along the border of Nagorno Karabakh from April 2 to 6, which generated a renewed spirit of resistance and condemnation among all Armenians.
Present at the meeting was His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Head of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See.
