Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On November 16, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; hosted Mr. Vilen Shatvorian, President of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine; and the Union members, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Ukraine.

Welcoming the Pontiff of All Armenians, His Grace Bishop Markos emphasized that they had visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to renew their covenant and receive the Blessings of His Holiness. Bishop Markos also presented the 20-year activity of the community and the current challenges, stating that unity is the guiding force of Armenians in all communities of Ukraine.

His Grace Bishop Markos informed His Holiness, that within the framework of their visit to Armenia, they participated in the opening ceremony of the park adjacent to the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Yerevan, the improvement of which was undertaken by the Union of Armenians of Ukraine.

Then, congratulating and conveying his Pontifical Blessings to those present on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Union, the Pontiff of All Armenians stated with joy, that the Armenian Community of Ukraine is strongly connected to the homeland and willingly responds to overcoming the challenges in Armenia.

At the meeting, referring to the history of the formation of the Diocese of Ukraine in the first years of its activity, His Holiness expressed his appreciation to Mr. Shatvorian and to all the members of the Union, for their achievements and dedicated service to the homeland and the Church.

Mr. Vilen Shatvorian expressed his gratitude to the Armenian Pontiff for the warm reception, Pontifical Blessings and support, affirming that the Church is always with its people.

In the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians wished the Armenian sons a prosperous and peaceful life with the Blessings of God.