Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Begins Visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
08.05.2003
Upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the delegation led by His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, and composed of Metropolitans, Bishops and Priests, arrived on May 7 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a three-day visit. His Holiness Ilia II is the Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
His Holiness Karekin II, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Vasken Mirzakhanian, Locum Tenens (Acting Primate) of the Armenian Church Diocese of Georgia, and a delegation of high-ranking Armenian bishops and clergymen, greeted the Georgian delegation led by His Holiness Ilia II as they arrived at Armenia International Airport. Also present were the Ambassadors of both countries.
The two delegations immediately came to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where they were greeted by the members of the Brotherhood and seminarians, following which a welcoming service was held in the Mother Cathedral. The two Pontiffs greeted each other with messages of greeting, and offered prayers as they stood before the Holy Altar of Descent.
Welcoming the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church to Armenia, the Catholicos of All Armenians spoke of the centuries-old ties between the two nations and two Churches, noting "the zealous advocate and guarantor of which is the Armenian community of Georgia."
"The Armenian nation has always felt safe and free in Christian Georgia, has built churches and monasteries, schools and theaters, and has founded benevolent organizations. Today also, living under the kind attitude of the Georgian state, Church and people, the Armenians living in Georgia have vast opportunities to fully live in their national-ecclesiastical life. As citizens of Georgia who enjoy full rights, they participate in the development and progress of the country?s public life," said His Holiness Karekin II. The Pontiff of All Armenians also mentioned that the friendship and love between the two nations should help overcome the many difficulties and hardships facing both countries and Churches during the post-soviet period.
Following the welcoming service, the two Pontiffs exited the Cathedral and paused before the tombs of the blessed Catholicoi of All Armenians Vasken I and Karekin I, to pay tribute to their memory. Afterwards, they processed to the Residence of the Catholicos, where the two Pontiffs introduced the members of their respective delegations.
