Supreme Spiritual Council Convenes Meeting in Artsakh
06.09.2016
On September 6, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council (SSC) was convened in Stepanakert, the capital city of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh).
At the opening of the meeting His Holiness conveyed his blessings to the clergy and lay members of the Council. He also conveyed his personal appreciation to Mr. Bako Sahakyan, President of Nagorno-Karabakh; and His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh; for the invitation to hold the SSC meeting in Artsakh; on the occasion of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the independence of Artsakh. His Holiness stressed the importance of holding the Council meetings in various Armenian dioceses, which will promote awareness and further strengthen the spiritual life of the communities.
“Our visit to Artsakh is a pilgrimage for us: a land which holds the memories of our ancestors, and where there are many holy shrines. We are here to kneel down in this sacred sanctuary and offer our prayers to Almighty God for the welfare of Artsakh and the prosperous life of the Armenians of Artsakh”, stated Catholicos Karekin II, stressing that the Armenian Church, with its worldwide dioceses and communities has always been and remains by the side of the Armenians of Artsakh.
His Holiness announced that on the occasion of the visit, on behalf of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Dioceses of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, the Mother See again transfers five hundred thousand US dollars to Artsakh for the needs of the Armenians of Artsakh.
His Holiness prayed that God keep Artsakh in peace under His Holy Right Hand, granting a prosperous and tranquil life.
Reflecting on the Council’s agenda, the Catholicos of All Armenians noted that the issues to be discussed are of great importance for the regulation of the activities of the eclesiastical structures of the Armenian Church, and effective organization of the Church's mission and progress. His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the SSC members for their dedication and commitment; wishing effective outcomes to the work of the SSC meeting.
Before approving the agenda items, the members offered a prayer for the soul of the late Mr. Alberto Djeredjian (Diocese of Argentina of South America) a member of the SSC, who passed away on 05 August.
During the three-day meeting, agenda items include issues related to the National Ecclesiastical Assembly, Supreme Spiritual Council policies, revisions to the Ecclesiastical-Representative Assembly bylaws, and reports on the religious institutions and activities of the Dioceses.
