On June 25, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians had a meeting with the pilgrims of the U.S. Western Diocese and U.S. Eastern Diocese at the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Depository (Matenadaran) of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The pilgrims were escorted by their group leaders, Rev. Fr. Senior Priest Tatev Harutyunyan (St. Andreas Church in Coopertino) and Fr. Priest Hakob Gevorgyan (Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia). Among the other attendees were 29 young participants of the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s Summer Internship Program, reported the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Hayern Aysor.

In the beginning, Priests Tatev and Hakob conveyed the great impressions of the pilgrimage of the young Armenians to Armenia. The youth representative of the AGBU introduced the participants of the summer internship program to His Holiness and talked about the features of the program.

Afterwards, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II gave his blessing and conveyed his message to the attendees.

His Holiness highly appreciated the spiritual pastors’ service and their commitment to lead the young Armenian pilgrims to the Homeland. The Supreme Patriarch attached importance to the organizing of such visits and stated that they provide young Diaspora Armenians with the opportunity to personally recognize the Homeland and excite and inspire the Armenians living in Armenia.

His Holiness also welcomed the visit of the participants of the AGBU Summer Internship Program to the spiritual center of all Armenians, touched upon the mission of the Armenian Church in the lives of Armenians, attached importance to the strong bonds between young Armenians and the Church and particularly their involvement in various kinds of church-related programs. The Catholicos of All Armenians informed the young people about the social, educational and other services that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin offers and suggested that they consider the relevant church organizations after the internship program.

At the end, the Supreme Patriarch wished the young Armenians a pleasant stay in the Homeland and that they return to their respective residences with reinforced identity and warm feelings of patriotism and the love for the nation.

After the meeting, the pilgrims participated in the Holy Mass at the Mother Cathedral and visited the museums of the Mother See.