On October 10, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received the participants of the Conference of Diaspora Armenian Writers Composing in Armenian and Foreign Languages at the Karekin I Center for Education of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The participants were led by President of the Union of Writers of Armenia Edward Militonyan, reported the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Hayern Aysor.

President of the Union of Writers of Armenia introduced His Holiness to the participants of the conference and the framework of the materials to be considered during the conference. Militonyan also touched upon the existing cooperation between the Union and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin through which the annual Kantegh Awards will be held at the scribes’ home in Oshakan after the conference, which will end in a couple of days.

Afterwards, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the attending Diaspora Armenian writers and expressed joy for the conference of Armenian writers that is hosted in Armenia on a regular basis. His Holiness said such initiatives are helpful and make the mission of Armenian writers more fruitful for the nation. Catholicos Karekin II also said it is important to promote dissemination of the works of Diaspora Armenian writers in Armenia so that the people in Armenia also become aware of the valuable literary heritage created by Armenian writers composing in Armenian and foreign languages.

During the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed concern about the decline of national and moral values of Armenians and said it is important for Armenian writers and intellectuals to accomplish their respective missions in order to fix the situation. His Holiness stressed the fact that the works of Armenian writers need to help young Armenians have the spirit of patriotism, have national awareness and form their image. In this effort, the Patriarch noted that the partnership between the Armenian Church and the clergy is favorable.

His Holiness conveyed his patriarchal blessings to the participants of the conference, expressed willingness to support Armenian writers composing in Armenian and foreign languages and to take advantage of the opportunities of the Mother See to organize such pro-national events.

The Supreme Patriarch wished that the Armenian writers continue to serve the Armenian people with their literature.

His Holiness also answered the writers’ questions related to the teaching and preservation of the Armenian language abroad, the preparation of clergymen and the current hardships in Armenia.

Among the attendees were Head of the Department of Foreign Relations and Protocol of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Grace, Fr. Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan and Superintendent of the Gevorgyan Spiritual Lyceum, Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Garegin Hambardzumyan.