OPENING CEREMONY OF ARMENIAN EMBASSY HELD IN VATICAN
Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome hosted the opening ceremony of the
Armenian Embassy in the Holy See, a reception on the occasion of the
22nd anniversary of Armenia's independence, and the exhibition entitled
"Saint Gregory the Illuminator: Common Heritage of Christianity".
"Today is a symbolic day. Armenia, which was the first country to
declare Christianity as its state religion, is opening its embassy
in the Holy See. When I served as Armenia's nonresident ambassador
to the Vatican (pluralistically), I was constantly thinking of the
day when our two states would open their diplomatic missions and
appoint resident ambassadors to Yerevan and the Vatican. Today we are
proceeding along that path. I congratulate us all and wish success
to Ambassador Mikael Minasian in his mission aimed at strengthening
and deepening relations between Armenia and the Vatican," Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at the opening ceremony.
"Our relations have deep historical roots. Christian faith became the
basis of these special relations. Great figures such as St. Nerses
Shnorhali, Mkhitar Sebastatsi and many others made their contribution
to the deepening of our ties. It is symbolic that the official opening
of the Armenian diplomatic mission coincides with an anniversary
of Armenia's national holiday. With the restoration of Armenia's
independence, our relations with the Holy See have gained renewed
impetus for two decades already," the foreign minister said.
He reminded those present that in March of this year Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II attended
the enthronement of Pope Francis. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
visited the Holy See and met with Pope Benedict XVI in December 2011.
"We keep in our memory the historical visit of Pope John Paul II to
Armenia in 2001 when Armenia marked the 1700 anniversary of adoption
of Christianity. Armenia highly appreciates the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the Holy See in 2000," Edward Nalbandian said.
According to him, the opening of Armenian embassy bears evidence of
the high level of close friendly relations between Armenia and the
Holy See and of the wish to further deepen these ties.
http://www.aysor.am/en/news/2013/09/20/vatikan-embassy2/
Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome hosted the opening ceremony of the
Armenian Embassy in the Holy See, a reception on the occasion of the
22nd anniversary of Armenia's independence, and the exhibition entitled
"Saint Gregory the Illuminator: Common Heritage of Christianity".
"Today is a symbolic day. Armenia, which was the first country to
declare Christianity as its state religion, is opening its embassy
in the Holy See. When I served as Armenia's nonresident ambassador
to the Vatican (pluralistically), I was constantly thinking of the
day when our two states would open their diplomatic missions and
appoint resident ambassadors to Yerevan and the Vatican. Today we are
proceeding along that path. I congratulate us all and wish success
to Ambassador Mikael Minasian in his mission aimed at strengthening
and deepening relations between Armenia and the Vatican," Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at the opening ceremony.
"Our relations have deep historical roots. Christian faith became the
basis of these special relations. Great figures such as St. Nerses
Shnorhali, Mkhitar Sebastatsi and many others made their contribution
to the deepening of our ties. It is symbolic that the official opening
of the Armenian diplomatic mission coincides with an anniversary
of Armenia's national holiday. With the restoration of Armenia's
independence, our relations with the Holy See have gained renewed
impetus for two decades already," the foreign minister said.
He reminded those present that in March of this year Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II attended
the enthronement of Pope Francis. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
visited the Holy See and met with Pope Benedict XVI in December 2011.
"We keep in our memory the historical visit of Pope John Paul II to
Armenia in 2001 when Armenia marked the 1700 anniversary of adoption
of Christianity. Armenia highly appreciates the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the Holy See in 2000," Edward Nalbandian said.
According to him, the opening of Armenian embassy bears evidence of
the high level of close friendly relations between Armenia and the
Holy See and of the wish to further deepen these ties.
http://www.aysor.am/en/news/2013/09/20/vatikan-embassy2/