Catholicos of All Armenians Received Pilgrims from the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
17.06.2019
On June 16, in the “Karekin I” Educational Center of the Mother See, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; met with 36 pilgrims from Minnesota, one of the oldest communities in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, who arrived on a two-week visit to the Homeland, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Thadeus Barseghyan, Spiritual Pastor of the St. Sahak Church,
In his welcoming remarks, Fr. Thadeus informed that most of the pilgrims are in Armenia for the first time, expressing gratitude that the visit begins with the blessing of the Armenian Patriarch. Fr. Thadeus presented His Holiness the achievements of the community life, adding that the community expands year by year, the number of Armenian Sunday School students also increases.
Conveying his Paternal blessings to the American Armenians, the Catholicos of All Armenians highlighted the organization of pilgrimage to the Homeland, which renew the national and spiritual feelings of the Armenian people , communicating to their identity and the heroic past of the Armenian people.
The Armenian Pontiff also reflected on the sacrament of Holy Etchmiadzin, noting that Echmiadzin is in the hearts and prayers of all Armenians, and that in the most difficult moments of history, the Christian faith and hope have helped the world-wide Armenians to overcome the challenges facing the nation and the Church. His Holiness specifically spoke about the difficulties and problems in the life of the Homeland and the Diaspora and ways to overcome them.
On this occasion, the Armenian Pontiff expressed his appreciation to the clergymen serving in the Diaspora Armenian Dioceses, for fulfilling their spiritual mission with zeal and dedication and maintaining national values.
Following the meeting, the pilgrims attended the Divine Liturgy.
