Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 8, His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received a delegation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, led by Dr. Thomas Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of the charitable organization Renovabis. The delegation included representatives from various European media outlets.

During the meeting, Father Thomas Schwarz introduced the delegation to His Holiness, noting that their visit to Armenia was aimed at gaining firsthand insight into the country’s current situation and understanding contemporary church and societal life.

Welcoming the guests, His Holiness highlighted the Armenian Church’s vital role in the life of the Armenian people. He noted that throughout history, particularly in the most challenging times, the Church has guided the Armenian people with faith and hope through its pastoral care and its mission to preserve the nation. His Holiness also addressed current challenges and developments in Armenia and the wider region.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians responded to questions from the delegation regarding Church–state relations, the Armenian Apostolic Church’s interactions with sister churches, and the Church’s social programs supporting Armenians displaced from Artsakh.