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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, November 13, 2009
AGBU President Berge Setrakian Participates in Third Diocesan
Representative Assembly at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
>From October 31 to November 3, 2009, the third Diocesan Representative
Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church was held in the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and with the participation of
representatives from the Armenian Patriarchates of Jerusalem and
Constantinople; Diocesan Primates from Armenia and the Diaspora;
high-ranking clergy; Members of the Supreme Spiritual Council and
representatives of the laity. President of the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) Mr. Berge Setrakian also arrived in Armenia to
participate in the meeting.
On October 31, the opening ceremony of the meeting was held under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II. In attendance for the opening
session were Mr. Bako Sahakian, President of the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh; Mr. Tigran Sargsian, Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia; and AGBU President Setrakian. In his remarks, His Holiness
reflected on the current process of development of general guidelines
for the Armenian Church.
Welcoming speeches were made by NKR President Sahakian and Prime
Minister Sargsian. The Prime Minister reflected on the relations and
close cooperation between the Church and State, stressing the
significant role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the preservation of
national identity.
On November 2, the Diocesan Representative Assembly convened in the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and continued its work under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II. Present for the morning session
was the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Serge Sargsian.
President Sargsian addressed the clergy and participants of the
assembly, wishing them success in their meetings. He welcomed all the
steps being taken for the reinforcement of the mission of the Armenian
Church and for the fulfillment of the spiritual needs of Armenians
living in the Diaspora. He also reflected on the 10th anniversary of
consecration of His Holiness, expressing his gratitude for the enormous
work that was accomplished during the last decade. Wishing His Holiness
long-lasting Pontifical years and new achievements, President Sargsian
granted to His Holiness the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots -- the highest
order of the Republic of Armenia -- for his efforts in the preservation
and development of national and spiritual values and virtues. Also
present at the meeting was AGBU President Setrakian.
In his speech on November 3, the third day of the session, Mr. Setrakian
reflected on the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the history of
the Armenian people and the cooperation between the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the AGBU in the national-political life of our nation.
"The Armenian Apostolic Church, as a national church, has had an
undeniable role in the history of our people. Today, in light of the new
challenges facing the Diaspora, our national and spiritual life is in
need of revival and, in this sense, we all need to act with new
approaches and modern solutions."
Speaking about the relations and cooperation between the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin and AGBU, Mr. Setrakian said, "Traditionally our
relations have been strong and enduring. Our cooperation has been based
on the fact that the joint activities of the Mother See and AGBU have
always been favorable for the nation in the Diaspora. In the course of
history, guided by pan-Armenian interests, we've walked hand in hand
with the Mother See with love unbiased and impartial. We are united in
our endeavors and goals and certainly we are more powerful together."
Mr. Setrakian praised the activities of His Holiness Karekin II in the
past decade. "In the past ten years, we have witnessed important
achievements in reviving spirituality and spreading the faith. You've
not only been a builder, a catholicos who built new churches in our
motherland, but also a true spiritual leader, who consecrated 240 young
clergymen for national-spiritual service. Due to Your active
organizational skills, You are loved, respected and highly valued by
everyone. I wish You good health and well-being, and I wish unwavering
strength to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin," said Mr. Setrakian.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, November 13, 2009
AGBU President Berge Setrakian Participates in Third Diocesan
Representative Assembly at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
>From October 31 to November 3, 2009, the third Diocesan Representative
Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church was held in the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and with the participation of
representatives from the Armenian Patriarchates of Jerusalem and
Constantinople; Diocesan Primates from Armenia and the Diaspora;
high-ranking clergy; Members of the Supreme Spiritual Council and
representatives of the laity. President of the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) Mr. Berge Setrakian also arrived in Armenia to
participate in the meeting.
On October 31, the opening ceremony of the meeting was held under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II. In attendance for the opening
session were Mr. Bako Sahakian, President of the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh; Mr. Tigran Sargsian, Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia; and AGBU President Setrakian. In his remarks, His Holiness
reflected on the current process of development of general guidelines
for the Armenian Church.
Welcoming speeches were made by NKR President Sahakian and Prime
Minister Sargsian. The Prime Minister reflected on the relations and
close cooperation between the Church and State, stressing the
significant role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the preservation of
national identity.
On November 2, the Diocesan Representative Assembly convened in the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and continued its work under the
presidency of His Holiness Karekin II. Present for the morning session
was the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Serge Sargsian.
President Sargsian addressed the clergy and participants of the
assembly, wishing them success in their meetings. He welcomed all the
steps being taken for the reinforcement of the mission of the Armenian
Church and for the fulfillment of the spiritual needs of Armenians
living in the Diaspora. He also reflected on the 10th anniversary of
consecration of His Holiness, expressing his gratitude for the enormous
work that was accomplished during the last decade. Wishing His Holiness
long-lasting Pontifical years and new achievements, President Sargsian
granted to His Holiness the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots -- the highest
order of the Republic of Armenia -- for his efforts in the preservation
and development of national and spiritual values and virtues. Also
present at the meeting was AGBU President Setrakian.
In his speech on November 3, the third day of the session, Mr. Setrakian
reflected on the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the history of
the Armenian people and the cooperation between the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and the AGBU in the national-political life of our nation.
"The Armenian Apostolic Church, as a national church, has had an
undeniable role in the history of our people. Today, in light of the new
challenges facing the Diaspora, our national and spiritual life is in
need of revival and, in this sense, we all need to act with new
approaches and modern solutions."
Speaking about the relations and cooperation between the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin and AGBU, Mr. Setrakian said, "Traditionally our
relations have been strong and enduring. Our cooperation has been based
on the fact that the joint activities of the Mother See and AGBU have
always been favorable for the nation in the Diaspora. In the course of
history, guided by pan-Armenian interests, we've walked hand in hand
with the Mother See with love unbiased and impartial. We are united in
our endeavors and goals and certainly we are more powerful together."
Mr. Setrakian praised the activities of His Holiness Karekin II in the
past decade. "In the past ten years, we have witnessed important
achievements in reviving spirituality and spreading the faith. You've
not only been a builder, a catholicos who built new churches in our
motherland, but also a true spiritual leader, who consecrated 240 young
clergymen for national-spiritual service. Due to Your active
organizational skills, You are loved, respected and highly valued by
everyone. I wish You good health and well-being, and I wish unwavering
strength to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin," said Mr. Setrakian.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.