Catholicos of All Armenians Received Clergymen of the Accelerated Priest Course
19.12.2018
On December 18, in the ‘Karekin I’ Educational Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; met the 16 clergymen participating the Accelerated Priest Course from different Dioceses of Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora.
Chairman of the Course, His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, presented His Holiness the clergymen, then summarizing the year, informed that since February 11, 161 clergymen have participated the Accelerated Priest Course: 127 from Armenia and Artsakh and 34 from the Diaspora Dioceses. Referring to the usefulness of the course, Archbishop Yeznik also spoke about the importance of the meetings with the Catholicos of All Armenians, which give the Church servants opportunity to discuss various issues and challenges related to their pastoral life.
Then, the Armenian Pontiff conveyed his blessings to the clergymen. In turn, His Holiness highlighted the holding of the Accelerated Priest Courses, stating that they give the pastors opportunity to separate and reflect on their spiritual mission and as well as to gain more knowledge and experience. His Holiness stated that the meetings with the clergymen serving in the dioceses and discussions on various issues concerning the faithful greatly contribute to the realization of the vision for the future.
Expressing his appreciation to Archbishop Yeznik for undertaking the organizational work, the Catholicos of All Armenians stated that everything will be done to make the course more productive in the future and include new courses and discussions on Bible studies, pastoral theology and Church social service.
At the conclusion, His Holiness Karekin II wished the priests strength and may the Heavenly guidance be in their spiritual mission.
His Holiness also answered to questions of the pastors.
Attending the meeting was His Grace Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See.
