On the morning of October 27, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians had a meeting with the students of Armenian Saturday and Sunday Schools and Armenian seminaries at the St. Ghevondyants Church of the U.S. Western Diocese.

As reported the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Hayern Aysor, the young Armenians greeted the Supreme Patriarch with excitement, rounds of applause and performances of songs. After the welcoming remarks, the teachers and students of the educational institutions congratulated the Supreme Patriarch on the 18^th anniversary of his election and granted commemorative gifts.

The students of the educational institutions performed Armenian patriotic songs and dances, after which the Supreme Patriarch blessed and expressed kind wishes to the students, teachers and the attending believers and urged them to love the nation and the Church and be dedicated to the homeland.

In his speech addressed to the children and teens, His Holiness particularly said the following: “You, my dears, are Armenia and the Holy Etchmiadzin. You will help the homeland become strong and will build the nation. During this meeting, we saw how excited you are, how well you know the Armenian language, how much you love Armenia and the Holy Etchmiadzin, even though you are far from the homeland, Your dear parents and honorable teachers take care and raise you to become the good sons of our nation and with the bright vision that you will embody the cherished wishes of our people. Study hard, grow and become strong with your knowledge. Keep the love for God alive in your souls, follow the Lord’s Commandments, be zealous and the responsible sons of your parents and for our Church and nation. We also urge you to visit the homeland, Holy Etchmiadzin, see the memories of our ancestors with your own eyes and get a feel of their message of faith and patriotism with your heart. We pray for you every day, asking the Lord to protect and bless you so that you gain knowledge, become spiritually strong and make your contributions to the nation.”

The Catholicos of All Armenians asked the Lord to bless the young people and their families. Catholicos Karekin II also wished that the Lord protects the teachers and representatives of all the schools.

His Holiness answered the students’ questions. At the end of the meeting, the Supreme Patriarch transmitted gifts to the Armenian schools and seminaries of the U.S. Western Diocese.