His Holiness Karekin II Receives Head of OSCE Yerevan
05.02.2004
On February 5, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Ambassador Dr. Vladimir Pryakhin. The ambassador is the newly appointed Head of the Yerevan Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Welcoming the first visit of Dr. Pryakhin to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness highly assessed the role of the OSCE in the development and promotion of democracy in Armenia.
His Holiness and Dr. Pryakhin spoke on issues surrounding freedom of conscience and the functioning of various religious organizations in Armenia. His Holiness expressed concern regarding those religious organizations who operate in Armenia, yet are in violation of the various laws regulating their activities. The Catholicos of All Armenians voiced his displeasure at their efforts to lead people away from the Mother Church under false pretenses and deceit.
In the course of the meeting, the conversation also touched upon the current relationship between the Church and the state, as well as various issues related to religious education.
At the conclusion of the meeting His Holiness wished Dr. Pryakhin success in his mission, and stated his assurance that the activities of the OSCE would contribute to the peaceful, democratic and developing progress of life in Armenia.
