Pontifical Encyclical of the Catholicos of all Armenians Issued for the Estublishment of a new Masyatsotn Diocese
11.01.2021
On January 11, with the Blessings and by Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a new diocese of Masyatsotn, was established in Ararat Region, Armenia.
His Grace Bishop Gevorg Saroyan will serve as the primate of the newly established diocese.
Following is the full Pontifical Encyclical:
KAREKIN II, SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST,
BY THE MERCY OF GOD AND THE WILL OF THE NATION
CHIEF BISHOP AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS,
SUPREME PATRIARCH OF THE PAN-NATIONAL PREEMINENT ARARATIAN SEE
THE APOSTOLIC MOTHER CHURCH OF UNIVERSAL HOLY ETCHMIADZIN.
CHRIST-BEQUEATHED GREETINGS OF LOVE AND PONTIFICAL BLESSINGS
TO THE CATHOLICIOSATE OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA,
TO THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATES
OF HOLY JERUSALEM AND CONSTANTINOPLE,
TO ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, PRIESTS AND DEACONS,
TO DIOCESAN ASSEMBLIES,
DIOCESAN AND PAROCHIAL COUNCILS AND OFFICERS,
AND TO ALL BELOVED FAITHFUL ARMENIAN PEOPLE
From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, We extend our Blessings to all our faithful in Ararat region.
We render our praise and glory to Almighty God, that the existing parishes and church institutions are in a well-organized process in the region. During the years of independence, new churches have been built, old sanctuaries have been renovated, ensuring the progress of religious life.
We extend Our appreciation to His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kjoayan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; for the care, the effective organization of the service of the clergy, and the efforts made in the beautification of the religious life in this area.
To serve the spiritual needs of the Armenian faithful and strengthen the spiritual-ecclesiastical life of the church, the dioceses have always been re-organized and new dioceses have been established in our churches around the world. Today, with the Pontifical Encyclical, separating the Ararat Region from the Araratyan Pontifical Diocese, and uniting the parishes of the region, we establish the Diocese of Maseatsotn with its Diocesan Headquarters located in the town of Artashat. His Grace Bishop Gevork Saroyan was appointed to serve as the Primate of the new Diocese of Masyatsotn.
We convey Our Pontifical Blessings to the clergy of the new-established Diocese of Masyatsotn, the honorable members of the Church Committee, and wish them ecclesiastical and national achievements. We are sure, that Our faithful sons of the God-caring Diocese will support the Primate of the Diocese with new encouragement and vigor, and will continue their contribution to the clergy for the prosperity of the spiritual- ecclesiastical life.
We pray that the Merciful God will always keep prosperous our Holy Apostolic Church with its diocesan structures, granting new successes to the faithful children of our people. May our Holy Armenian Apostolic Church always remain bright and steady under the most caring Holy Right Hand of the Lord.
“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love” (2 John 3).
WITH BLESSINGS
KAREKIN II,
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
Encyclical issued on the 11th of January
In the Year of our Lord 2021 and in the date of the Armenians 1470
At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Number 1113”.
