First Lady of Russia visits the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On Saturday, April 27, Ludmila Putin, First Lady of the Russian Federation, visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. She was escorted by Bella Kocharian, First Lady of Armenia. Following a tour of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the guests were directed to the Residence of the Catholicos (Veharan), where they were received by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Mrs. Putin is visiting Armenia to participate in festivities dedicated to the close of an international Russian language competition held in Yerevan. His Holiness expressed satisfaction with the bonds of friendship which exist between the two nations, and encouraged the First Ladies to continue their work in the strengthening of cultural and educational ties.
His Holiness stressed the importance of morality in education, and underscored the need to focus on teaching the fundamentals of ethics and virtue to all young people. Following the meeting, His Holiness hosted the two First Ladies and their respective entourages to a private lunch held in their honor.
Also present during the afternoon were His Grace Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; Mr. Anatoli Drukov, Russian Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia; and Mr. Ara Abrahamian, President of the Union of Russian Armenians.
