Ecumenical Delegation from France Visits the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On Tuesday, April 16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received an ecumenical delegation from France. The delegation consisted of approximately 120 people from Roman Catholic and Evangelical Protestant churches. They are visiting Armenia upon the initiative of the France-Armenia Protestant Solidarity Organization. The Very Rev. Fr. Zatik Avetikian, pastor of the Armenian Church of Marseilles, led the delegation to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The guests were welcomed into the large hall of the Veharan (Residence of the Catholicos), where they were granted an audience with His Holiness, the Catholicos. Greeting the delegation, His Holiness reflected on the importance of inter-church relations and ecumenical contacts, as well as the necessity for strong fraternal Christian ties.
In the course of the meeting His Holiness referred to the present-day state of affairs and the continuing mission of our ancient Church. He answered questions on a wide range of topics including post-Soviet rejuvenation, implementation of social programs, Christian education, the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and ongoing dialogue between Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches.
Answering a question on the relationship of the Armenians abroad to the motherland, His Holiness stated, ?The Armenian Diaspora has a great role to play in the life of the Church. We are depending on them. Only through unity can we defeat those dangers which are standing before us.?
At the conclusion of the meeting, Rev. Samuel Sahagian, the President of the organization, expressed gratitude to His Holiness for the reception.
