Armenian Church Armed Forces Chaplaincy Program Receives Greek Orthodox Counterparts
On April 17, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received (Colonel) Fr. Gregorios Apatoloakides, Chaplain of the Army for the Republic of Greece, and Fr. Grigorios Lazarines, Associate Chaplain. Rev. Fr. Arshen Sanosian, the Chaplain of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, accompanied the guests.
Fr. Apatoloakides gave a brief summary of the services that the Greek Orthodox Church provides to the Greek Army. The Chaplains have come to Armenia for an exchange of ideas and opinions with their Armenian counterparts. During the meeting, it was noted that the role of spiritual service in the armed forces is of great importance to the fostering and maintaining of both morale and discipline for the men in uniform.
As the Republic of Greece has had more experience in army chaplaincy, Fr. Apatoloakides noted that many of his fellow clergymen fulfill their spiritual service by serving as commissioned officers in the Greek Army.
His Holiness was very appreciative of the benefit the Greek chaplains provide to their soldiers, and expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration and assistance they were providing to the Chaplaincy of the Armenian Armed Forces. His Holiness asked many questions with regards to the formation and structure of their programs, ministry and sacramental life.
His Holiness noted that the chaplaincy in the Armenian Army only began a few short years ago, and yet great strides have been made in providing counseling and ministry to the soldiers of the Republic of Armenia. His Holiness expressed his assurance that the rich experience of the Greek Church in this realm will prove highly beneficial to the Armenian Church as she continues her spiritual, social and physical service to the nation.
The guests thanked His Holiness for the kind reception, and stated their willingness to support the Armenian clergymen in fulfilling their service in the Armenian Army. At the conclusion of the meeting His Holiness asked the guests to convey greetings to the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church, and offered a blessing of protection and guidance to the priests, wishing them success in their mission.
