On April 30, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Mr. Berge Setrakian at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

During the meeting, with satisfaction, the Supreme Patriarch and the AGBU President touched upon the fruitful cooperation between the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the AGBU and, considering the process of implementation of the joint social and educational programs, pinpointed the future actions.

His Holiness and Mr. Berge Setrakian particularly attached importance to the programs for the Armenian and Christian upbringing of young Armenians and the education of the new generation of clergymen.

The AGBU President talked about the activities that the AGBU is carrying out in Armenia, Artsakh and different communities of the Armenian Diaspora.

In relation to this, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the Armenian General Benevolent Union for its patriotic and pro-national efforts and the assistance that it provides to the Armenian Church in carrying out its mission.

During the conversation, the sides expressed deep concern about the emigration of Armenians caused by the current situation in the countries of the Middle East and particularly talked about the assistance that the Mother See and the AGBU are providing to the Syrian-Armenian community and Syrian-Armenian families having moved to Armenia and the future actions that are being planned in this direction. In relation to this, the sides emphasized that the support being provided to Syrian-Armenians would be ongoing and attached importance to the consolidation of the efforts of all state, non-governmental and benevolent organizations and the coordinated efforts.

His Holiness Karekin II and Mr. Berge Setrakian touched upon the life of the nation and the Church and other issues related to preservation of the Armenian identity.

At the end, AGBU President Berge Setrakian also attended the Divine and eternal Liturgy held at the Main Cathedral.