Annual Clergy Conference Held in the Mother See
27.05.2019
On May 27, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; presided over the annual clergy conference. The meeting was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The meeting was attended by 225 clergymen serving in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Dioceses of Armenia and Artsakh; Diocesan Primates, members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See and Bishops.
In the morning, the clergy, led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, attended Evening Services in the Mother Cathedral.
Opening remarks were made by His Eminence Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak and Chairman of the organizing committee. Archbishop Mikael wished the clergy to continue their life with the vision of Avarayr, Sardarapat, strengthening and brightening of the Armenian statehood, recording new successes in the pastoral mission.
A report was given by Rev. Fr. Yesai Artenyan (Ararat Patriarchal Diocese), on the theme: “Priest-Individual Cognition and Relationship issues”. During the discussions, the participants referred to the obligations and rights of the parish priests in pastoral life.
The second report was presented by Very Rev. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, entitled: “The Straightforward Perception of the Confession and Confessor in the Armenian Church”. Throughout the material, Fr. Zakaria conveyed information extracted from the Armenian church bibliography and Canonical book, also referring to the experience of other Churches.
The Conference concluded with the blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The Armenian Pontiff expressed his appreciation to the clergy participants for their dedicated service. “We are always proud of our clergy. The work they carry out, they carry out with responsibility, first of all, by faith, devotion and patriotism”, stated His Holiness.
Referring to the heroic battles of May and the triumphant atmosphere, His Holiness also spoke about the need for the preservation of our values, highlighting the role of the Armenian Church and the Armenian clergyman in it. We, as clergymen, must firmly and courageously protect our spiritual and moral values, which are the core of our identity, thanks to which we have survived for centuries, faced all kinds of trials, led our people to salvation and built an independent statehood”, stressed His Holiness Karekin II.
At the conclusion, His Holiness conveyed his blessings to the clergy, also wished to remain firm and in the faith with God's support. His Holiness prayed for the peaceful and prosperous life of the Homeland.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the clergy attended the Evening Service in the St. Gayane Monastery.
