Catholicos of All Armenians Bestowed Golden Star of Bethlehem Medal
20.05.2017
On May 19, the Catholicos of All Armenians was bestowed with the Golden Star of Bethlehem by the Presidium of the Academy of Russian Language and Literature; the highest award of the Academy. The Academy established the award in the year 2000, with the blessings of the late Russian Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. The award ceremony was held in the headquarters of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan.
The ceremony was opened with the Lord’s Prayer, followed by the remarks of Mr. Yuri Belyaev, the Academy President. The Academy president expressed his joy on the occasion of awarding the medal, and stressed that when Patriarch Alexy II was himself given the award, he stated that he would like to see the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Catholicos of All Armenians as recipients. Noting great appreciation for the important contribution of the Armenian Catholicos Karekin II in strengthening the Russian-Armenian ties, and observing the wish of the late Patriarch, the Academy President officially bestowed His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; with the "Golden Star of Bethlehem" medal and certificate. The award was originally granted to the Armenian Pontiff in 2013 with the participation of the Star of Bethlehem National Charity Fund and the support of the Russian Imperial House.
The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings to the attendees. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the members of the Russian Academy for the award, and through prayer remembered Patriarch Alexy II of blessed memory. His Holiness recalled his meetings with the Patriarch and their jointly offered spiritual ceremonies in Moscow and St. Petersburg. He stressed that the existing close relations and cooperation continue with Patriarch Kirill I.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also noted that the award ceremony was being held during the jubilee year of the 300th Anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Diocese in Russia. His Holiness Karekin II wished that with the blessings of the Almighty God, the centuries-old relations and fraternal spirit of the faithful Armenian and Russian people would be further strengthened, the cooperation between the two countries be beatified with new achievements, and that the centuries-old friendship continues forever.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, clergy of the Diocese and representatives of the Academy of Russian language.
