His Holiness Karekin II to Visit Moscow and the Diocese of Southern Russia
24.11.2003
On November 25, upon the invitation of His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will depart for Moscow to participate in a trilateral meeting to be held on November 26 between the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church and the spiritual leaders of the Caucasus. Participating in the meeting will be His Holiness Karekin II, His Holiness Alexy II, and Sheikh Ul Islam Allah-Shukur Pashazade, Spiritual Leader of Muslims in the Caucasus. Discussion topics will include issues related to the encouragement of peace and strengthening of inter-religious tolerance in the Caucasus.
The Catholicos of All Armenians will be accompanied by a delegation comprised of His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirossian, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh; His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrossian, Director of the Department of Inter-Church Relations of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamian, Staff-bearer to His Holiness; and Mr. Rafayel Papayan, lay member of the Supreme Spiritual Council.
On November 27, following the meeting in Moscow, His Holiness Karekin II will conduct a Pontifical Visit to the Armenian Diocese of Southern Russia. During the visit, His Holiness will consecrate the newly built Church of St. Sarkis in the city of Pyatigorsk, Russia. His Holiness will also attend festivities dedicated to the 160th Anniversary of the consecration of the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Vladikavkaz, Russia. Also planned are meetings with the representatives of local authorities and high-ranking clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church.
