Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 15, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Bishop Leonid of Alania and Vladikavkaz, the Governor of the Russian Orthodox Church Community in the Republic of Armenia; and Mr. Ivan Volink, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentary of Russia to the Republic of Armenia.

During the meeting, His Holiness expressed his joy for the decision of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, to appoint of Bishop Leonid as Governor of the Russian Orthodox Church Community in Armenia.

Reflecting on the centuries-old relationship, His Holiness emphasized that the appointment of the high-ranking clergy by the Russian Church is evidence of the existing friendship.

The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed confidence that the appointment will contribute to the close ties and consolidation and strengthening of cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox Churches.

Bishop Leonid expressed gratitude to His Holiness for the warm reception, and shared his impressions on his first visit to Armenia and the Mother See. Bisohp Leonid also took note of the friendly and close cooperation between the two Churches and peoples, assuring His Holiness that throughout his service he would do his best to contribute to the further development of the mutual relations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness conveyed his fraternal greetings and love to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and wished Bishop Leonid success in his service in Armenia.

The meeting was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Publishing Department and the Ecumenical Relations Department of the Mother See.