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PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Office of Foreign Communications
Tel: +374-10-517163
Fax: +374-10-517301
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
His Holiness Karekin II Meets with President of Azerbaijan
On April 26, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, met with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, during his
one-day visit to Baku. Present at the meeting were Sheikh-ul-Islam
Allahshukur Pashazade, Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus; His
Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Inter Church
Relations for the Mother See; His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, Office
Director of the Inter Church Relations Department, and Rev. Fr. Vahram
Melikian, Director of the Information Services Department of the Mother See.
The meeting lasted an hour in an unconstrained and frank atmosphere, during
which they talked about the World Summit of Religious Leaders, stressing the
importance of religious and cultural dialogues for the sake of the
establishment of peace, and a secure and prosperous life for nations.
The Catholicos and the president discussed the issue of Nagorno Karabagh,
and welcomed the efforts being implemented aimed at the peaceful resolution
of the conflict, stressing the significant role of religious leaders and
workers. They also emphasized the importance of reciprocal visits and
communication, through which the spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation
would be built.
Following the meeting, the Pontiff of All Armenians and his delegation
visited the historic Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Baku,
which is currently being used as a library. His Holiness examined the
condition of the church which was damaged by fire in 1990, and expressed his
hope that by the mercy of God, this church would continue its mission and
reopen its doors to the faithful. While visiting the church, the delegation
recited Armenian prayers and sang Armenian hymns - an event the church had
not witnessed for several decades.
In the evening, following a banquet hosted by President Aliyev in honor of
the religious leaders, His Holiness departed from Baku and returned to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade,
Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus; the Minister of Religious
Affairs of Azerbaijan, and a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church
accompanied His Holiness to the airport.
Archbishop Yeznik and Bishop Hovakim remained in Baku to participate in the
World Summit.
For photos and video, click: http://bit.ly/aQIW4w or
www.youtube.com/armenianchurch
##
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Office of Foreign Communications
Tel: +374-10-517163
Fax: +374-10-517301
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
His Holiness Karekin II Meets with President of Azerbaijan
On April 26, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, met with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, during his
one-day visit to Baku. Present at the meeting were Sheikh-ul-Islam
Allahshukur Pashazade, Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus; His
Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Inter Church
Relations for the Mother See; His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, Office
Director of the Inter Church Relations Department, and Rev. Fr. Vahram
Melikian, Director of the Information Services Department of the Mother See.
The meeting lasted an hour in an unconstrained and frank atmosphere, during
which they talked about the World Summit of Religious Leaders, stressing the
importance of religious and cultural dialogues for the sake of the
establishment of peace, and a secure and prosperous life for nations.
The Catholicos and the president discussed the issue of Nagorno Karabagh,
and welcomed the efforts being implemented aimed at the peaceful resolution
of the conflict, stressing the significant role of religious leaders and
workers. They also emphasized the importance of reciprocal visits and
communication, through which the spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation
would be built.
Following the meeting, the Pontiff of All Armenians and his delegation
visited the historic Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Baku,
which is currently being used as a library. His Holiness examined the
condition of the church which was damaged by fire in 1990, and expressed his
hope that by the mercy of God, this church would continue its mission and
reopen its doors to the faithful. While visiting the church, the delegation
recited Armenian prayers and sang Armenian hymns - an event the church had
not witnessed for several decades.
In the evening, following a banquet hosted by President Aliyev in honor of
the religious leaders, His Holiness departed from Baku and returned to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade,
Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus; the Minister of Religious
Affairs of Azerbaijan, and a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church
accompanied His Holiness to the airport.
Archbishop Yeznik and Bishop Hovakim remained in Baku to participate in the
World Summit.
For photos and video, click: http://bit.ly/aQIW4w or
www.youtube.com/armenianchurch
##