Catholicos of All Armenians Receives Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations
04.09.2026
On September 4, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Metropolitan Anthony conveyed to His Holiness the fraternal greetings and best wishes of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', reaffirming the Russian Orthodox Church's support for the Armenian Church. His Eminence referred to the important role of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the life of the Armenian people, noting that any interference by secular authorities in the Church's internal life is unacceptable.
The Catholicos of All Armenians then imparted his blessing and offered prayers for the delegation headed by Metropolitan Anthony. His Holiness expressed his particular gratitude to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for the consistently warm regard and support shown toward the Armenian Church and the Armenian Patriarch. The Supreme Patriarch spoke with satisfaction of the relations and cooperation between the two Churches, expressing his wish that this brotherhood remain strong and steadfast and serve to strengthen the centuries-old ties between the two friendly peoples.
During the conversation, reference was made to instances of pressure and persecution directed against Churches.
It was emphasized that, by the mercy of God, through the devoted service of the clergy and the steadfast faith of the people, all trials and difficulties will be overcome.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his fraternal greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, wishing him good health and many long and fruitful years of patriarchal ministry for the glory of the Russian Orthodox Church and the welfare of its faithful flock.
