Catholicos of All Armenians Visited Gyumri and Was Hosted by One of the Families who Received Apartments by the Mother See
17.03.2019
On March 16, accompanied by the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; visited Gyumri.
In front of the Yotverk (Seven Wounds) Holy Mother of God Church, His Holiness was welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak and Mr. Samvel Balasanyan, Mayor of Gyumri. Under the ringing of the bells, His Holiness accompanied by the retinue, clergymen and faithful, entered the Church where he offered a prayer following which His Holiness blessed the attending people.
In the Headquarters of the Shirak Diocese, His Holiness met with the Governor of Shirak Mr. Tigran Petrosyan and Mayor of Gyumri Mr. Samvel Balasanyan. His Holiness got interested in the various development projects in Gyumri and Shirak region; main problems and challenges faced by the region's population. During the meeting they also spoke about the cooperation between the city and provincial authorities and the Diocese, as well as further collaboration programs.
His Holiness also visited the “Trchunian Tun” and got acquainted with the children.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also visited the Youth Center of Gyumri, which is operating under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the AGBU, where accompanied by Director Astghik Yedigaryan, met with children from different groups and conveyed them his blessings.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the 1988 earthquake, within the framework of the new social program initiated by the Mother See to provide houses to the families affected by the earthquake and who still live in cottages, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin together with its worldwide Dioceses, provided apartments to ten families in December and January, seven in Gyumri and three in Spitak.
The program was supported by the Eastern and Western Armenian Dioceses of the USA; Armenian Dioceses of Germany and Egypt; Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan; the Armenian Diocese of Southern Russia; Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland; and Armenian Spiritual Pastorate of India.
During the visit to Gyumri, His Holiness Karekin II made a surprise visit to the Manukyan family, one of the families who received an apartment.
Congratulating the Manukyans on the occasion of their apartment, His Holiness conveyed his blessings and best wishes to the family members and handed them the apartment certificate.
Presenting the younger family members Bible for Children and other gifts, His Holiness handed the family a miniature-icon then offered a prayer with the clergymen for the prosperous and peaceful life of the Manukian family.
At the end of the day, the Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by the Primate of the Diocese and clergyman, visited the St. Hakob Church in Gyumri. Following the Thanksgiving prayer, His Holiness conveyed his blessings to the faithful.
