Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Lawyers Attending International Conference
24.04.2026
On April 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the lawyers participating in an international conference held in Yerevan at the initiative of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia, including leaders of French bar associations, headed by Simon Babayan, President of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia.
During the meeting, Mr. Babayan, introducing the guests to His Holiness, noted that the participants of the conference had first visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and then arrived at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to receive the blessing of the Armenian Pontiff, as well as to learn about the mission of the Armenian Church and its role in national and public life.
Mr. Ara Zohrabyan, Rector of the Academy of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia, expressed gratitude for the reception and conveyed the legal community’s support to the Catholicos of All Armenians in addressing the modern challenges facing the Church.
Welcoming those present, His Holiness referred to the gravest crime committed against the Armenian people at the beginning of the twentieth century and noted that silence in the face of historical injustice and inadequate condemnation gives rise to new tragedies. In this regard, His Holiness expressed appreciation to the friendly people and authorities of France for recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, as well as for their compassionate attitude toward Armenians in France who survived the genocide.
In his remarks, His Holiness also emphasized the importance of such international conferences, underscoring the irreplaceable role of the human rights and legal community in upholding truth, justice, and the rule of law.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness expressed high appreciation for the lawyers, wishing the conference productive proceedings and success in their professional mission.
