Catholicos of All Armenians Received President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
25.03.2019
On March 24, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr. Berge Setrakian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (ABGU), accompanied by Mr. Vasken Yakubian, AGBU Armenian President.
During the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians and AGBU President discussed church-building, educational and social projects of the Mother See and the AGBU. Particularly they highlighted the activities of the Youth Centers and soup kitchens and their expansion possibilities. In this regard, the Catholicos of All Armenians appreciated the AGBU's continuous support to the Armenian Church- the strengthening of the spiritual life of the Armenian people.
Catholicos Karekin II and Mr. Berge Setrakian also talked about the patriotic programs implemented in Diaspora communities by the Armenian Church and the AGBU, which are aimed at the revival of the community life and the preservation and development of the national identity. In this regard, Mr. Setrakian expressed his satisfaction that today numerous youth and clergymen of the Mother See contribute greatly to the activation of the national-church life of the Dioceses of Diaspora, especially among the youth.
His Holiness informed Mr. Berge Setrakian the results of the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting convened in the Holy Etchmiadzin on March 12-14. A special reference was made to the decision to convene a National-Ecclesiastical Assembly in November 2020 and the important mission of the Assembly in guiding the further activities of the Armenian Church. Mr. Berge Setrakian assured that the AGBU, through its lay delegates spread in the Diaspora, will provide all possible support to the Church's organizational empowerment and the success of the Assembly promoting the national-religious and social mission.
The AGBU President was informed about the restoration and reconstruction activities of the Mother Cathedral. His Holiness presented the works done in general, informing that the interior rehabilitation of the Temple, with the support of church benefactors, is planned to be completed by 2020.
Speaking about the internal and external challenges facing the Homeland, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the AGBU President highlighted the participation of our faithful Diaspora Armenians in overcoming them.
At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the AGBU President reaffirmed their commitment to continue to make efforts for the strengthening of national unity in Armenia and Diaspora with joint programs and cooperation of the Armenian Church and the AGBU and preservation of the Armenian identity and national-spiritual values and traditions.
