Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On September 8, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed pilgrims from the Sts. Vartanantz Church community of Chelmsford, part of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The group was led by their spiritual pastor, the Reverend Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan.

Seeking the Patriarch's blessing, Fr. Khachatur affirmed that the Sts. Vartanantz Church community—among the oldest Armenian congregations in the United States—has devoutly safeguarded its sacred heritage, steadfast faith, and abiding love for the homeland.

Thanking His Holiness for the audience, Fr. Khachatur expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit Armenia and strengthen their connection with their homeland.

The Catholicos of All Armenians thanked the community for its steadfast devotion to the Church and abiding love for the homeland. He offered prayers for the founders of Sts. Vartanantz Church—survivors of the Hamidian massacres—who, through unshakable faith and communal unity, rebuilt their lives in the U.S. and safeguarded their Armenian heritage.

His Holiness urged the pilgrims to return home renewed in faith and to uphold a living connection with their homeland and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.