His Holiness Receives Delegation of the Save Armenia Organization
17.06.2026
On June 17, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received a delegation of the Save Armenia organization, headed by its Executive Director, Dr. Paul Murray.
Present at the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Ecumenical Relations and Diocesan Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; and the Rev. Archimandrite Garegin Hambardzumyan, Director of the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Mother See.
Welcoming the guests to Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness conveyed his blessings to the members of the delegation. He expressed appreciation for their initiatives aimed at protecting human rights, safeguarding religious freedom, and fostering dialogue among peoples.
His Holiness noted with satisfaction the organization's consistent efforts to draw international attention to issues concerning Armenia and the Armenian people and to ensure their proper representation in international forums, particularly during this challenging period for the nation.
During the meeting, the Armenian Pontiff touched upon the current state of Church-State relations, the protection of the rights of the forcibly displaced Armenians of Artsakh, the release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh.
Referring to the spiritual, educational, and nation-preserving mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, His Holiness emphasized that the Church carries out its ministry to strengthen the spiritual life of the Armenian people, consolidate national unity, and cultivate spiritual and moral values within society.
Dr. Paul Murray thanked His Holiness for the reception, outlined the objectives of the delegation's visit, and reaffirmed the organization's readiness to support the Armenian Church and the Armenian people and to contribute in every possible way to overcoming the challenges facing Armenia.
The interlocutors also discussed ongoing efforts to establish peace in the region. It was emphasized that a lasting peace must be founded upon the principles of justice, respect for the rights of peoples, and dignified coexistence.
