On July 26, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received pilgrims from the U.S. Eastern Diocese accompanied by pastor of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Rev. Fr. Priest Komitas Zohrabyan at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as reported the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Hayern Aysor.

Introducing the pilgrims to the Catholicos of All Armenians, Fr. Komitas talked about their impressions of the Homeland and asked His Holiness for his blessing.

The Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed the pilgrims’ visit to the Homeland and the spiritual center of all Armenians and particularly expressed his appreciation to Fr. Komitas, who had organized the pilgrims’ trip to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Touching upon the mission of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church of saving souls, His Holiness Karekin II added that the Armenian Church has also assumed the responsible task of preserving the Armenian identity in Armenia and abroad for centuries.

Emphasizing the need for organizing similar pilgrimages, the Catholicos of All Armenians also said those pilgrimages serve as the best way of reinforcing and strengthening the awareness of the Armenian identity. In relation to this, His Holiness stated that the pilgrimages that are made to the Homeland provide young Armenians with the opportunity to mature and become the worthy sons of the Homeland and their ancestors and the descendants of the rich heritage created by their fathers.

The mission that the Armenian Church has accomplished in the field of education was touched upon during the meeting. His Holiness also answered questions from the pilgrims.

At the end, His Holiness brought his patriarchal blessing to the pilgrims and prayed that God protects them and that they stay clung to the Armenian Church and the nation with the same zeal.