Supreme Spiritual Council Session in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
05.11.2002
The regular session of the Supreme Spiritual Council convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on November 1 and 2, 2002. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the meetings.
Among the most important issues, the members of the Council discussed the upcoming festivities dedicated to the 1700th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The planning committee is chaired by the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. The members instructed the committee to present the final program of planned events at the next session of the Supreme Spiritual Council. Among those events are: Pilgrimages, youth and diocesan gatherings, symposia dedicated to Holy Etchmiadzin, and a series of publications.
The Supreme Spiritual Council's main focus was the discussion of issues related to the reorganization of church life. The members received a report commissioned by His Holiness, which accorded great importance to specific areas necessary for a strong, spiritually vibrant and mission-oriented Armenian Church. The report stressed the re-establishment of parish communities and parish life in Armenia, the preparation of a new generation of educated and able clergymen to serve the Armenian Church dispersed throughout the world, the creation of additional youth centers throughout the dioceses, the construction of new churches and renovation of existing ones, and the implementation of social programs.
The Council also heard the presentation of Mr. Vahan Der-Ghevondian, Executive Director of the "Hayastan" All Armenia Fund, who was invited to the session. Mr. Der-Ghevondian gave a detailed report on the activities of the Fund, following which, the members expressed their readiness to continue the Armenian Church's support of the Fund's endeavors.
During the session, a series of administrative issues related to church life were discussed as well. The members were updated with further details regarding the upcoming Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand later this month.
At the conclusion of the two-day session, the members conveyed their congratulations and best wishes to His Holiness on the occasion of the third anniversary of the his ascent to the throne of St. Gregory the Illuminator, and prayed that God grant him a long life and active service to the Armenian Church and people.
