Tweet
UPDATE ON CANADIAN ECUMENICAL VISIT TO ARMENIA
Anglican Church of Canada (press release), Canada
30 Aug 2005 by Press Office
August 31, 2005 -- Since its arrival in Armenia, Aug. 24, a Canadian
ecumenical delegation has visited many historic sites in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which is the pre-eminent centre of authority
in the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The delegation
met His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians. Discussions focused on the current status of ecumenical
life, the relationship of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church
and sister churches as well as the difficulties and challenges that
churches are facing in the world today.
The delegation's week-long visit (Aug. 24 - Sep. 1) coincided with
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The following report is courtesy of the press office of the Armenian
Church of Canada:
Canadian Church Leaders in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
The long awaited visit of Canada's Church leaders to the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin is a clear expression of the close cooperation
and the ecumenical spirit that exists between the Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Canada and various Christian
denominations and sister churches.
On Thursday, August 25 2005, Abp. Andrew Hutchison, Primate of the
Anglican National Church in Canada; Abp. Brendan O'Brien, President
of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; Abp. Sotirios, Greek
Orthodox Metropolitan of Canada and Dr. Richard Schneider, President of
the Canadian Council of Churches, accompanied by Deacon Hagop Arslanian
arrived in Armenia at Zvartnots International Airport. The ecumenical
delegation was received by His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Diocese of Canada.
After a brief rest in the visitors residence of the Mother See, the
representative of sister churches toured the historic museum of the
Cathedral, and the Monasteries of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime. In
Hripsime, Archbishop O'Brien said a prayer before the tomb of
the saint. Bishop Bagrat extensively talked about the historical
backgrounds and foundation of the Mother Cathedral, the museum and
the monasteries. Thursday afternoon, the delegation had a meeting
with the WCC (World Council of Churches) "Armenia Round Table"
office. Dr. Karen Nazarian made a brief presentation of the projects
and activities of the Department. The mission of the WCC Armenia
Round Table was highly appreciated by the Canadian Church Leaders.
Afterwards, an informative meeting was held at Shoghakat TV Company.
The guests were received by Mrs. Manya Ghazarian, Executive Director
of the TV station.
On Friday, August 26, 2005 the delegation was received by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His
Holiness greeted the guests and expressed his joy at receiving a high
ranking delegation from sister churches in Canada. Discussions were
focused on the current status of ecumenical life, the relationship of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and sister Churches as well
as the difficulties and challenges that churches are facing in the
world today. In the afternoon, the guests visited the Matenadaran
(Depository of Ancient Manuscripts) and were received by Mr. Sen
Arevshatian, Director. Mr. Arevshatian talked about the importance
of the Matenadaran in the history of the Armenian people and praised
the role of the Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in
preserving this national institution.
Since this visit of Canadian Church Leaders coincided with the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the delegation laid a wreath
at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to the Armenian Genocide, praying
for the repose of the souls of the 1.5 million victims. Mr. Lavrenti
Barseghian, Director of the Genocide Museum received the guests and
gave them a tour through the museum. Afterwards, the guests visited the
newly constructed Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Yerevan.
On Saturday, August 27, 2005 the guests held a successful meeting with
the president of the National Assembly (parliament) of the Republic
of Armenia, His Excellency Artur Baghdasaryan. Mr. Baghdasaryan
presented the constitutional reforms that the government and the
state of Armenia are aiming to achieve.
He highlighted the importance of the Church in the life of the
Armenian people and in the process of realizing the constitutional
reforms. Prior to the meeting with Mr. Baghdasaryan, the delegation
visited with Honorary Consul of Canada in Armenia, Mr. Artashes Emin.
The next visit was to the Vaskenian Theological Academy at Lake Sevan
where the Dean of the Academy, Rev. Fr Mkrtich Proshian received the
high-ranking dignitaries.
They also visited the Church of the Holy Apostles up at the top of
the hill surrounding the Vaskenian Academy. By the invitation of the
Very Rev. Fr. Sasoon Zumroukhdian, the guests visited the mayor of the
city of Dilijan, Mr. Jora Sahakian. In the evening, an informative
meeting was held between the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the members of the Ecumenical delegation.
On Sunday, August 28, 2005 the ecumenical delegation held a brief
meeting with His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians. Following the meeting they participated in the
procession of the Clergy into the Mother Cathedral, presided by His
Holiness the Catholicos. Rev. Fr. Ghoukas Zakaryan celebrated the
Divine Liturgy. During the Liturgy each member of the delegation
addressed the faithful in attendance, and expressed their gratitude
to His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians and praised
the people of Armenia for their hope, faith and steadfastness in our
Lord Jesus Christ. On Sunday afternoon, the delegation visited the
Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan, Diocese of Aragatsotsn. They
were received by Very Rev. Fr. Torgom Tonikian, the Locum Tenens,
and greeted by Sunday School children of the church. They attended the
Evening Vespers led by His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. Following
the church service, they each prayed on the tomb of Saint Mesrop
Mashtots.
On Monday, August 29, 2005, the delegation met with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Vartan Oskanian. The
meeting was very informative and touched upon regional issues of
concern, including the peaceful settlement Nagorno Karabagh conflict,
Armenian-Turkish relations, and constitutional reforms for the RA,
as well as the current status of international diplomatic relations,
specifically with regards to Canada. In the afternoon, the delegation
visited the National Academy of Sciences. They were greeted by
President Fadey Sargisian who introduced the work and scholarly
activities of the Academy to the guests. The same day, Bishop Bagrat
led the high-ranking clergymen to the Monastery of Geghard and were
met by the abbot of the monastery, Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ghevondian. He
provided the guests with an extensive historical review of the complex
and hosted them to an afternoon lunch.
On Tuesday, August 30, 2005, the Primates of the Canadian Churches
visited the Monastery of Khor Virap and offered their solemn prayers
while inside the deep pit dungeon of Saint Gregory the Illuminator,
following which the group visited the Monastery of Noravank in the
southern region of Armenia. Accompanying the delegation to Noravank
were the Canadian-Armenian benefactors of the complex, Mr. Dickran
and Mrs. Diana Hadjetian from Montreal.
http://www.anglican.ca/news/news.php?newsItem=2005-08-31_armenia.news
Anglican Church of Canada (press release), Canada
30 Aug 2005 by Press Office
August 31, 2005 -- Since its arrival in Armenia, Aug. 24, a Canadian
ecumenical delegation has visited many historic sites in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which is the pre-eminent centre of authority
in the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The delegation
met His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians. Discussions focused on the current status of ecumenical
life, the relationship of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church
and sister churches as well as the difficulties and challenges that
churches are facing in the world today.
The delegation's week-long visit (Aug. 24 - Sep. 1) coincided with
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The following report is courtesy of the press office of the Armenian
Church of Canada:
Canadian Church Leaders in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
The long awaited visit of Canada's Church leaders to the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin is a clear expression of the close cooperation
and the ecumenical spirit that exists between the Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Canada and various Christian
denominations and sister churches.
On Thursday, August 25 2005, Abp. Andrew Hutchison, Primate of the
Anglican National Church in Canada; Abp. Brendan O'Brien, President
of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; Abp. Sotirios, Greek
Orthodox Metropolitan of Canada and Dr. Richard Schneider, President of
the Canadian Council of Churches, accompanied by Deacon Hagop Arslanian
arrived in Armenia at Zvartnots International Airport. The ecumenical
delegation was received by His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Diocese of Canada.
After a brief rest in the visitors residence of the Mother See, the
representative of sister churches toured the historic museum of the
Cathedral, and the Monasteries of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime. In
Hripsime, Archbishop O'Brien said a prayer before the tomb of
the saint. Bishop Bagrat extensively talked about the historical
backgrounds and foundation of the Mother Cathedral, the museum and
the monasteries. Thursday afternoon, the delegation had a meeting
with the WCC (World Council of Churches) "Armenia Round Table"
office. Dr. Karen Nazarian made a brief presentation of the projects
and activities of the Department. The mission of the WCC Armenia
Round Table was highly appreciated by the Canadian Church Leaders.
Afterwards, an informative meeting was held at Shoghakat TV Company.
The guests were received by Mrs. Manya Ghazarian, Executive Director
of the TV station.
On Friday, August 26, 2005 the delegation was received by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His
Holiness greeted the guests and expressed his joy at receiving a high
ranking delegation from sister churches in Canada. Discussions were
focused on the current status of ecumenical life, the relationship of
the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and sister Churches as well
as the difficulties and challenges that churches are facing in the
world today. In the afternoon, the guests visited the Matenadaran
(Depository of Ancient Manuscripts) and were received by Mr. Sen
Arevshatian, Director. Mr. Arevshatian talked about the importance
of the Matenadaran in the history of the Armenian people and praised
the role of the Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in
preserving this national institution.
Since this visit of Canadian Church Leaders coincided with the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the delegation laid a wreath
at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to the Armenian Genocide, praying
for the repose of the souls of the 1.5 million victims. Mr. Lavrenti
Barseghian, Director of the Genocide Museum received the guests and
gave them a tour through the museum. Afterwards, the guests visited the
newly constructed Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Yerevan.
On Saturday, August 27, 2005 the guests held a successful meeting with
the president of the National Assembly (parliament) of the Republic
of Armenia, His Excellency Artur Baghdasaryan. Mr. Baghdasaryan
presented the constitutional reforms that the government and the
state of Armenia are aiming to achieve.
He highlighted the importance of the Church in the life of the
Armenian people and in the process of realizing the constitutional
reforms. Prior to the meeting with Mr. Baghdasaryan, the delegation
visited with Honorary Consul of Canada in Armenia, Mr. Artashes Emin.
The next visit was to the Vaskenian Theological Academy at Lake Sevan
where the Dean of the Academy, Rev. Fr Mkrtich Proshian received the
high-ranking dignitaries.
They also visited the Church of the Holy Apostles up at the top of
the hill surrounding the Vaskenian Academy. By the invitation of the
Very Rev. Fr. Sasoon Zumroukhdian, the guests visited the mayor of the
city of Dilijan, Mr. Jora Sahakian. In the evening, an informative
meeting was held between the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the members of the Ecumenical delegation.
On Sunday, August 28, 2005 the ecumenical delegation held a brief
meeting with His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians. Following the meeting they participated in the
procession of the Clergy into the Mother Cathedral, presided by His
Holiness the Catholicos. Rev. Fr. Ghoukas Zakaryan celebrated the
Divine Liturgy. During the Liturgy each member of the delegation
addressed the faithful in attendance, and expressed their gratitude
to His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians and praised
the people of Armenia for their hope, faith and steadfastness in our
Lord Jesus Christ. On Sunday afternoon, the delegation visited the
Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan, Diocese of Aragatsotsn. They
were received by Very Rev. Fr. Torgom Tonikian, the Locum Tenens,
and greeted by Sunday School children of the church. They attended the
Evening Vespers led by His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. Following
the church service, they each prayed on the tomb of Saint Mesrop
Mashtots.
On Monday, August 29, 2005, the delegation met with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Vartan Oskanian. The
meeting was very informative and touched upon regional issues of
concern, including the peaceful settlement Nagorno Karabagh conflict,
Armenian-Turkish relations, and constitutional reforms for the RA,
as well as the current status of international diplomatic relations,
specifically with regards to Canada. In the afternoon, the delegation
visited the National Academy of Sciences. They were greeted by
President Fadey Sargisian who introduced the work and scholarly
activities of the Academy to the guests. The same day, Bishop Bagrat
led the high-ranking clergymen to the Monastery of Geghard and were
met by the abbot of the monastery, Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ghevondian. He
provided the guests with an extensive historical review of the complex
and hosted them to an afternoon lunch.
On Tuesday, August 30, 2005, the Primates of the Canadian Churches
visited the Monastery of Khor Virap and offered their solemn prayers
while inside the deep pit dungeon of Saint Gregory the Illuminator,
following which the group visited the Monastery of Noravank in the
southern region of Armenia. Accompanying the delegation to Noravank
were the Canadian-Armenian benefactors of the complex, Mr. Dickran
and Mrs. Diana Hadjetian from Montreal.
http://www.anglican.ca/news/news.php?newsItem=2005-08-31_armenia.news