On July 9, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received participants of the Service to Armenia volunteer program of the Youth Union of the U.S. Eastern Diocese and the Mission to Armenia volunteer program of the Youth Union of the U.S. Western Diocese at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The volunteers were escorted by the groups’ leaders, including Priest Tadeos Barseghian (St. Sahag Church in Minnesota) and Priest Krikor Zakarian (St. Karapet Church in California), reported the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Hayern Aysor.

In the beginning, the priests presented the purpose of the groups’ visit to Armenia and the spheres of volunteer service, after which the Catholicos of All Armenians gave his blessing and conveyed his message to the young people.

The Supreme Patriarch expressed joy for the visit of the young Armenians to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and, with satisfaction, affirmed that the frequent visits organized by the Armenian Dioceses in the Diaspora leave an indelible trace in the lives of the young people, providing them with an opportunity to become strong with their identity and become familiar with the national and spiritual values of the homeland.

Catholicos Karekin II called on the young Armenians to be proud to be Armenian, feel proud when showing the values that have been shaped by Armenians throughout the centuries and accomplish their missions in life with a high level of awareness of their identity.

His Holiness welcomed the young people’s volunteer efforts within various organizations and said it was important for the formation of their image as Christians. The Supreme Patriarch also appreciated their dedication and willingness and urged them to stay true to the Commandments and always use their abilities and skills for the implementation of volunteer humanitarian and charitable programs.

Afterwards, the Catholicos of All Armenians touched upon the history of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church in the 20^th century and particularly talked about the losses that the Armenian Church suffered and the hardships that it overcame during the years of the Armenian Genocide and the Soviet era. His Holiness also talked about the large-scale activities and the pro-national programs that the Armenian Church has carried out since Armenia’s declaration of independence.

During the meeting, the Supreme Patriarch answered the attendees’ questions related to the mission of the Armenian Church, the paths for consolidation of young Diaspora Armenians around the Church and the homeland and Diaspora Armenian women’s participation in church life.

At the end, His Holiness wished that the young Armenians be the worthy sons of the Armenian nation and be able to help their respective communities and the homeland with their pro-national service.

After the meeting, the young people participated in a Holy Mass at the Mother Cathedral.