His Holiness Karekin II Receives Newly Appointed Ambassador of United Kingdom
On March 3, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received Miss Thorda Abbot-Watt, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. His Holiness congratulated Miss Abbott-Watt on her recent appointment and wished her well as she begins her diplomatic mission in the Republic of Armenia. Ambassador Abbott-Watt arrived in Armenia in January.
His Holiness introduced Ambassador Abbott-Watt to the life of the Mother See, as the two discussed a variety of issues important to both countries, as well as those significant to the Armenian and Anglican Churches. His Holiness specifically mentioned the decades long cooperation and friendship between the Church of England and the Catholicosate of All Armenians, and most notably its progression during the reign of His Holiness Vazken I, of blessed memory.
At the ambassador?s request, the Catholicos of All Armenians reflected upon the difficult times during the years of Soviet domination, when the Church lived under oppression. His Holiness also presented a summary of the present state and on-going mission of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and reflected specifically upon the young priests who have been sent abroad to universities in Europe, the United States and Russia, to further their higher theological educations. At present the Mother See has one clergyman studying in the United Kingdom, and another is preparing to soon depart for England.
Ambassador Abbott-Watt thanked His Holiness for the reception, and expressed her willingness to help the Armenian Church where possible. At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness expressed his confidence that the newly appointed ambassador?s work will further help in the development of Armenian and British relations.
