Catholicos of All Armenians Visited Catholic Mother Cathedral in Sydney
05.02.2019
On February 4, within the framework of the Pontifical visit to Australia, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; accompanied by the retinue visited the St. Mary's Catholic Mother Cathedral in Sydney. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, His Grace Bishop Haikazoon Najaryan offered a Divine Liturgy in this Cathedral, in the presence of about 2000 faithful and led by His Eminence Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Primate of the Catholic Diocese of Sydney.
At the Headquarter His Holiness was welcomed by Grand Sacristan of the Mother Cathedral Fr. Don Richardson and Richard Umbers, auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
The Armenian Patriarch was presented the two hundred year history of the temple observed as national heritage.
The Pontiff of All Armenians extended a prayer at the entrance of the temple, in front of the Armenian Cross-stone (Khachkar) which was placed by the efforts of Archbishop of Sydney Most Rev Anthony Fisher, the great friend of the Armenians on December 18, 2018 and by the donation of Mr. Stephan and Mrs. Hilda Grkasharians. The Cross-stone is dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide.
On the occasion of the visit, the Catholicos of All Armenians gave an interview to the “Catholic Weekly” magazine. Then gifts were exchanged in the presence of the members of the Patriarchal retinue, diocesan and parish members and national benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Haig and Elza Didizians. The Grand Sacristan was presented a miniature of Holy Etchmiadzin and Ararat, and the auxiliary Bishop was presented an image of Holy Nativity.
