Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Syriac Orthodox Pilgrims from the United States
22.09.2026
On September 22, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin pilgrims of the Syriac Orthodox Church who had arrived from the United States, led by the Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Shamoun, Pastor of St. Mark’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in New Jersey.
During the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his joy on the occasion of the Syriac pilgrims’ visit to Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness spoke warmly of the close and cordial relations between the Armenian Apostolic and Syriac Orthodox Sister Churches, which have been consistently strengthened over the years through mutual love and prayerful support.
The Supreme Patriarch spoke with particular appreciation of his longstanding friendship with His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, as well as of the brotherly love and steadfast support that His Holiness has consistently extended to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. On this occasion, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his greetings and best wishes to His Holiness Patriarch Aphrem II.
The Armenian Patriarch expressed his appreciation to Fr. Joseph Shamoun for organizing the pilgrimage, expressing the hope that such visits would become a cherished tradition, further strengthening the spiritual fellowship and prayerful unity of the faithful of the two Churches.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Supreme Patriarch bestowed his blessing upon those present and conveyed his good wishes, expressing his confidence that the pilgrimage would be an occasion for spiritual renewal, strengthening their faith in God and their love for the Holy Church.
