His Holiness Karekin II Congratulates New Archbishop of Greece
On February 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, congratulated the newly elected primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.
His Holiness’ letter states in part, "We were happy to learn…of Your Beatitude’s election as Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. We congratulate you on this joyous occasion, and extend to you our best wishes and fraternal love in Christ from the spiritual center of all Armenians – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
"As a faithful laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, Your Beatitude has served in high and responsible positions of the Church, being a champion of instruction and giving special emphasis to Christian education and the theological edification of young clergymen.
"For continuous centuries, the virtuous work of education and illumination has been at the source of the friendship between our two nations, which today is reinforced by the presence of the Armenian community and Armenian diocese in the Hellenic Republic, and through warm collaboration in inter-state and inter-church spheres. We are hopeful that throughout the years of Your Beatitude’s primacy, these important ties will be greater enriched with many more God-pleasing and successful works and achievements.
"We congratulate you once again and pray for our Lord Jesus Christ to decorate Your Beatitude with heavenly graces, bestowing you with many long years of reign to realize all of your good aspirations and beneficial plans…"
