Catholicos of All Armenians Received Volunteer Youth Program Participants
10.07.2017
On July 09 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; received members of the “Armenia Service Program” and “Christian Youth Mission to Armenia” of the Eastern and Western Dioceses respectively, of the Armenian Church of North America. They were accompanied by group leaders Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan (St. Sahak Church in Minnesota) and Rev. Fr. Grigor Zakharyan (St. Garabed Church in California).
At the beginning of the meeting, the priests presented to His Holiness the purpose of the groups' visit to Armenia and the volunteer service areas, following which the Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and message to the youth.
His Holiness expressed his happiness on the occasion of the visit of the young Armenians to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, noting that the frequently organized visits to Armenia by the Armenian Dioceses in the Diaspora, leave an indelible mark on the lives of young people, giving them an opportunity to strengthen their identity, and to recognize and convey the national and spiritual values of the homeland.
Catholicos Karekin II urged the Armenians to proudly bear the name of an Armenian, to proudly testify about the values which have been created by Armenians over the centuries, and through an advanced awareness of their identity, realize their own mission in the national life.
His Holiness welcomed the volunteer work done by the youth in various institutions. The Armenian Pontiff also valued their spirit of dedicated service and readiness, urging them throughout their lives to constantly offer their abilities and skills to humanitarian and benevolent volunteer programs.
His Holiness reflected on the history of the 20th century of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, particularly speaking about the losses and difficulties faced by the Church during the Armenian Genocide and the Soviet era. His Holiness also presented the large-scale activities and patriotic programs being implemented by the Church following Armenia's independence.
During the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians answered questions related to the mission of the Armenian Church; ways of bringing the Diaspora youth together around the Church and the Homeland, and women's participation in church life.
At the conclusion, His Holiness wished the youth to be worthy children of the nation and benefit their communities and homeland through their national service.
Following the meeting, the youth attended the Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral.
