Armenia's Catholicos Praises Age-Old Relations With Russian Church

[Karabekian Emil]

ARMENIA'S CATHOLICOS PRAISES AGE-OLD RELATIONS WITH RUSSIAN CHURCH

Itar-Tass
March 17 2010
Russia

HOLY ECHMIADZIN, March 17 (Itar-Tass) - Supreme hierarch of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos of all Armenians Karekin II
on Tuesday welcomed the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill in
the mother see of the Armenian Church, the Holy Echmiadzin.

"Age-old relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the
Russian Orthodox Church are marked by the spirit of Christian
brotherhood and cooperation," Karekin II said. "Patriarch Kirill's
visit offers a doubtless proof to this God-pleasing reality."

"The consolidation of brotherly relations is a must in our days when
the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia, the Russian Church
and the Armenian Church have shaken off the yoke of godlessness and
are faced with new global challenges and alarming problems," he said.

"A new Russian church being built in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia,
and a new Armenian church being built in Moscow City will provide a
new ample proof of mutual respect and love between the two nations,"
Karekin II said.