Catholicos of All Armenians Receives the President of the Administrative Council of the Bouches-du-Rhone Province
19.06.2016
On June 19, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holines Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the Ms. Martine Vassall, President of the Bouches-du-Rhone Provincial Council and her delegation. They were accompanied by Mr. Robert Azilyan (France), President of the Altitude 5165 French-Armenian charity organization.
During the meeting, His Holiness welcomed the visit of the friendly group to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness noted with satisfaction that it was pleasant to see Armenian representatives among the delegation from Marseilles.
The Catholicos of All Armenians reflected on the history of the Armenian Church and the Mother See's mission in civil society, and touched on the numerous challenges that have faced the Armenian Church and the Armenian people over the centuries.
His Holiness emphasized the friendly ties between the two nations and the comprehensive partnership between Armenia and France. The Armenian Pontiff added that it was of great comfort to see the continuing development of the friendly Armenian-French relations through mutual visits and the implementation of various joint initiatives. His Holiness stated that the Armenian community of France has played a great role in this. Expressing his appreciation to the French authorities and the benevolent nation for the care shown towards the Armenian community, His Holiness further emphasized that numerous Armenian refugees during the Armenian Genocide found shelter in the country due to the peace-loving and hospitable spirit of the French people; and restored their peaceful and prosperous life.
Ms. Vassall presented the members of the delegation to the Catholicos of All Armenians. Stressing the importance of their visit to Armenia and the Armenian spiritual center, she expressed confidence that the visit will contribute to the further strengthening and development of relations between the two friendly peoples in various fields. With regret, she reflected on the recent tragic events in the Nagorno-Karabakh border, expressing hope that peace will be restored in the region and stating that it is the most essential requisite for the country's development and prosperity.
At the conclusion, His Holiness Karekin II, expressed his appreciation to the participants, for the successful activities of the Etchmiadzin 13 French Dental Clinic, which was established through the joint efforts of the Mother See, the Administrative Council of the Bouches-du-Rhone Province and the Altitude 5165 French-Armenian charity organization.
During the meeting, they also reflected on the Pope's upcoming visit to Armenia.
The meeting was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of Mother See and Rev. Fr. Partev Barseghyan, Vice Chancellor of Mother See.
The delegation attended Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral.
