Catholicos of All Armenians Conveyed His Blessings to Pilgrims of Bjni
20.06.2018
On June 19, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received pilgrims in the “Karekin I” Educational Center. The pilgrims had travelled to the Mother See from the town of Bjni.
Rev. Fr. Aristakes Baghalyan, Spiritual Pastor of the community, presented the pilgrims to His Holiness, and reflected on the spiritual life in Bjni. Fr. Aristakes stressed that the meeting with the Catholicos of All Armenians was historic for the young pilgrims and would surely have a great influence on their lives.
The young pilgrims recited the Ten Commandments and Evangelical blessings.
Welcoming the faithful spirit of Bjni's pupils, the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his love and blessing to the pilgrims and extended his appreciation to the spiritual pastor and teachers for organizing a pilgrimage to the sanctuaries of Vagharshapat and the Mother See.
His Holiness urged the young pilgrims to continually go on pilgrimages so that through knowing and loving God they would refrain from the wrong paths and never make a mistake in life. The Pontiff of All Armenians urged them to become involved in church life, to attend the Divine Liturgy every Sunday and often visit regional monasteries and churches.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also reflected on the wonder of Holy Etchmiadzin, stressing that it is their identity and the guarantor of national existence to which every Armenian is connected with his soul, heart and feelings.
His Holiness recalled his interactions with the people of Bjni and various local traditions, and noted that Bjni is familiar and beloved to him for its history, sanctuaries, prayerful environment and people.
His Holiness asked question to the pupils, urging them to be diligent in learning, to grant joy to their parents and bring glory and honor to their families.
At the conclusion, His Holiness granted crosses to the pilgrims, wishing a peaceful and tranquil life.
In their turn, the pilgrims granted His Holiness the picture of St. Sarkis ancient church in Bjni.
