Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On October 4, in the Pontifical Residence, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch andCatholicos of All Armenians; received Viktoras Pranckietis, the Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania and his delegation. They were accompanied by the RA NA Deputy Speaker  Mrs. Lena Nazaryan and Mr. Tigran Mkrtchyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Lithuania.

The Catholicos of All Armenians highly appreciated the reciprocal visits at such levels, which are intended to promote the further development of the relationships between our two countries and expand the cooperation spheres, and welcomed the steps being initiated by both sides.

The Pontiff of All Armenians confirmed with gratitude that Armenia and Lithuania have always had friendly relations recalling the Lithuanians' support to the Armenian people on the days of the Armenia Declaration of Independence and the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabagh War. His Holiness reflected on the Christian faith and its significant role in overcoming the hardships throughout the Armenian history, in particular, speaking about the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During the conversation, the Pontiff of All Armenians expressed  His appreciation to the Lithuanian authorities on the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide highlighting that  it is not only from the perspective of the justice re-establishment for the Armenian people but also the preventing of such crimes in humans' life.In his turn, the President of the Lithuanian Parliament touched upon  the mission of the delegation and the need formore productive bilateral relationship reaffirming Lithuania's readiness to assist Armenia in various issues with its great experience. Mr. Viktoras Pranckietis also presented to the Catholicos of All Armenians the religious full piture of the Republic of Lithuania, spoke about its value system. 

At the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania also referred to the issues concerning to the two countries and the peoples, the need of re-establishment of the peace and the stability in the region and the steps being initiated towards the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict in this context. His Holiness also presented the peaceful efforts that the  Armenian Church made on this issue.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation led by the Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania also visited the “Alex and Marie Manoogian” Treasury House of the Mother See.