Catholicos of All Armenians Received Delegation of the Catholic University of Hungary
10.03.2017
On March 10, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received a delegation from the Pazmany Peter Catholic University of Hungary; in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They were led by their Rector, Dr. Szuromi Szabolcs, and accompanied by Professor Ruben Mirzakhanyan, Rector of the Yerevan State Pedagogocal University.
Among the delegation members were Mr. Uze Shandore, Director of the History Institute of the University; Mr. Laszlo Tusk, adviser to the Rector and General Director of the National Library; and Mr. Balint Kovacs, Chairman of the Armenian Studies Department of the University.
At the beginning of the meeting, Rector Mirzakhanyan formally introduced the members of the delegation to His Holiness, stating that their visit to Armenia was initiated through an MOU signed in 2016 between the Pazmany Peter Catholic University and the Yerevan State Pedagogocal University. Rector Mirzakhanyan noted with satisfaction that due to the relationship that was established, an Armenian Studies Department has been opened in the Catholic University.
The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and appreciation to the Hungarian delegation, expressing joy to be receiving them once again in Holy Etchmiadzin.
His Holiness reflected on the relations between the two institutions, stressing that such close relations provide a mutual opportunity for more students to participate in joint projects; thus contributing to a common understanding and the strengthening of friendship between the two peoples. His Holiness stressed the importance of the mission of the Armenian Studies Department in the Hungarian Catholic University, expressing the willingness of the Mother See to provide support with necessary literature.
Rector Szabolcs spoke on behalf of the delegation and inform His Holiness about the successes already accomplished as result of the cooperation. He presented the vision for development of the Armenian Studies Department.
During the meeting they spoke on the various activities of the educational institutions, particularly the student exchange programs. The Catholicos of All Armenians invited Mr. Szuromi Szabolcs to lecture at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness wished the Rectors of the educational institutions an beneficial cooperation to further strengthen the relations between the countries and peoples.
Attending the meeting was His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
