Official Dinner in honor of the Catholicos of All Armenians
04.02.2019
Within the framework of the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; to Australia, on February 3 an official dinner was held in honor of the Catholicos of All Armenians by the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand.
The official dinner was attended by more than 300 members of the Armenian community, philanthropists, representatives of Armenian organizations, spiritual servants of the Diocese and representatives of Sister Churches. The evening was hosted by Dr. Stepan Grkasharyan, Vice-Chairman of the Diocesan Council.
During the evening the community dance ensembles, orchestras, choirs and talented reciters performed artistic performances, giving great enthusiasm and joy to the attendees.
During the evening, the Catholicos of All Armenians granted blessing letters to a number of benefactors of the newly-built Headquarter, including Mr. Armen Baghdasaryan, for his long-term service to the church and the Headquarters.
The event was concluded by blessing remarks of His Holiness Karekin II.
“We extend our gratitude to God that we had bright moments with you full of encouragement. We united our prayers for the world peace, steadfastness of Christ’s Holy Church and for the abundance of Lord’s graces in the human life. We felt the love of our people towards our Apostolic Church, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Motherland and we were especially pleased to hear the native dialect from the lips of our children being so far from Armenia.
Dear ones, we are pleased to see your church-devoted and patriotic deeds, which develop the community life, as well as listen to the words of appreciation and respect towards our people in Australia. Indeed, the Australian community is one of the youngest among the Armenian communities but has strong roots and traditions which are continuing and strengthening with the zeal and good faith of the clergy, national authorities and philanthropists.
The life here was not easy for your fathers and grandparents, the Armenian community was not created easily but according to the apostle: “They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength ((1 Corinthians, 43)”, stated His Holiness, expressing gratitude to the Australian authorities, for the kind attitude and support shown towards the Armenian nation. With appreciation, His Holiness referred to the fraternal love and cooperation of the Sister Churches, who are carrying out a mission in Australia, the display of which was also the visit of the delegation of the Christian Churches of Australia to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2018.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also conveyed information on the activities of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, current priorities and challenges.
“With the confidence towards God, the Mother See carries out his mission for the love of strengthening our spiritual and national life in the Motherland and Diaspora. A preaching and spiritual service is also implemented in our army, social structures, educational initiatives are being implemented, supporting programs to help the needy and orphans”.
The Catholicos of All Armenians spoke about the responsibility towards the national life and homeland. Today, dear ones, in our homeland and Diaspora our people live with good expectations connected with the reforms in Armenia, the hopes of development and progress of our country. Now our Armenians living in Diaspora have more opportunities to contribute to the homeland, to develop his progress and embody his desires”, stressed His Holiness.
His Holiness urged to remain faithful to our sacred values, filled with filial love and faithfulness towards the Armenian Church.
At the conclusion, blessing the faithful, the Catholicos of All Armenians raised prayers that the Almighty God preserves the Armenian nation under His graces and blesses their efforts for the sake of our Holy Church, our homeland, our present and future.
