Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting Concludes
15.11.2021
From November 08 to 13, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Supreme Spiritual Council meeting was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Chairing the meeting sessions were His Eminence Archbishop Khajak Parsamyan, Patriarchal Legate of Western Europe and representative of the Catholicos of All Armenians in Vatican; and His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadizn.
Mr. Berge Setrakian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (ABGU), was invited to participate in the meeting.
The Supreme Spiritual Council reflected on the consequences of the War of Artsakh and the activities being done to overcome those. In this regard, His Grace Bishop Vertanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, presented the current situation in Artsakh and the existing challenges, in particular, emphasizing the importance of the implementation of the programs aimed at spiritual, psychological and humanitarian assistance. His Grace Bishop Vertanes also noted the importance of the regular pilgrimages from Armenia to Artsakh. His Grace Bishop Vertanes reflected on the social and pastoral service of the priests serving in the Diocese of Artsakh, emphasizing the importance of that mission in strengthening the spiritual life of our people in Artsakh.
At the meeting, discussions were held on the process of strengthening and renovating the Mother Cathedral, about which His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Chairman of the Monastic Council and Grand Sacristan of the Mother; provided information. The SSC members were introduced the problems arose during the renovation of the Cathedral. It was informed that, taking into account the new problems of the restoration works, the reconstruction of the Mother Cathedral will be possible to be completed in 2022.
His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, reflected on trilateral meeting of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians;
His Holiness Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia; and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus; held on October 13; emphasizing, that the trilateral meetings of spiritual leaders are a key factor in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and in overcoming the challenges of the post-war period. Archbishop Nathan touched upon the issues raised by His Holiness during the trilateral meeting, and emphasized the importance of the efforts of His Holiness aimed at the return of prisoners of war, security of Artsakh, protection of cultural structures and sanctuaries.
The agenda of the meeting also included the programs aimed at the implementation of the mission of the Church in the post-war and pandemic conditions. His Eminence Archbishop Khajak Parsamyan, Patriarchal Legate of Western Europe and representative of the Catholicos of All Armenians in Vatican; His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the Diocese of Tavoush; His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; delivered their reports. The SSC members, discussing the challenges in the post-war and pandemic conditions, particularly emphasized the importance of the strengthening of social and educational programs, and the spiritual upbringing of the young generation. It was instructed that more programs should be implemented in this area, and special attention should be paid by the dioceses and church communities.
Issues related to the canonical and pastoral life of the Church, disciplinary and legal issues, educational and social programs, and the prosperity of the mission of the Church were also discussed.
