Conference of Married Priests in Holy Etchmiadzin
04.04.2007
On Friday, March 30, the annual Clergy Conference of Married Priests convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. More than 180 married priests from throughout the dioceses of Armenia and Artsakh, led by their respective primates, gathered once again in a tradition begun by His Holiness after his election as Pontiff of the Armenian Church.
The day began with the procession of clergymen leading His Holiness to the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, to offer the Sunrise Service in solemn anticipation of the approaching Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ. Immediately following the church service, the meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of Andranik Margarian, the recently departed Prime Minister of Armenia. His Holiness offered a prayer for the repose of the soul of the late Prime Minister, asking God to receive His servant in eternal lights.
As the first session commenced, His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak, and organizer of the conference, presented the agenda for the day. Papers were presented to the clergymen by Rev. Fr. Vahan Azarian (Diocese of Gougark), Rev. Fr. Kyuregh Talian (Diocese of Kotayk), Rev. Fr. Gevork Ter Barseghian (Diocese of Gegharkunik) and Rev. Fr. Varag Hakobian (Diocese of Shirak). The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including the current status of spiritual, pastoral, administrative and ecclesiastical life within the parishes and dioceses of Armenia.
Chancellor of the Mother See, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khatchatrian presented a summary of the new law of the Republic of Armenia regulating the relationship between the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church and the Republic of Armenia. On behalf of the conference, the gathered priests expressed their gratitude to the state authorities for the enactment of the law.
In the afternoon, the priests gathered for the second session, when they had the opportunity to offer their questions, comments and suggestions regarding the presented papers, as well as other topics challenging Armenian Church and society today.
At the conclusion of the discussions, His Holiness Karekin II received the participants of the conference in the Pontifical Residence and extended his blessings to them. His Holiness expressed his appreciation to Bishop Mikael for organizing the conference and to all the priests for their vigilant service reinforcing the presence of the Church within the life of the Armenian people and thereby making the mission of Church more effective. The Armenian Pontiff also addressed the questions which had been raised by the participants, providing the assembled priests with answers, advice and encouragement to continue steadfast in their service to God and man.
In the evening, prior to the closing prayer, His Holiness granted pectoral crosses and letters of blessing to a number of priests in appreciation for their continued diligent labors.
