Catholicos of All Armenians Received Metropolitan Zahle of Orthodox Church of Antioch
14.06.2018
On June 14, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Most Reverend Antonios El Soury, Metropolitan of Zahle and Baalbek of the Orthodox Church of Antioch. They were accompanied by philanthropist Nicola Abu Faisal.
Welcoming the guests from Lebanon, His Holiness stressed the importance to note that the relations between the two peoples and Churches are characterized by fraternal warmth, and such visits are a new impetus for the strengthening of new cooperation.
His Holiness conveyed his greetings and best wishes to His Holiness Patriarch John X, head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and added that these meeting provide an opportunity to know each other better. The Catholicos of All Armenians specifically spoke about the active national-spiritual life of the Lebanese Armenian community.
Metropolitan Antonios referred to the close ecumenical relationship between the two Churches which have deep historical and traditional roots, as well as his warm ties with the Armenian community. He noted that this was his third visit to Armenia and every time he sees the strong and prosperous faith of the Armenian people. Metropolit Antonios also spoke to His Holiness about the communities under his spiritual care.
At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians once again conveyed his blessings to the attendees and prayed for the peaceful and progressive life of the Lebanese people.
Attending the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See; and Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department of the Mother See.
