TO PRIMATE OF THE ARMENIAN DIOCESE OF THE

ARMENIAN HOLY APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF BRAZIL

FATHER, ARCHIMANDRITE NAREG BERBERIAN

Your Holiness,

I convey my warm greetings and congratulatory remarks to you on the occasion of being elected Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church in Brazil. Your election on the threshold of the Holy Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly very symbolic. It is the unique appreciation of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Chuch and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians of the trust in you and your devoted service.

The Armenians of Brazil, who have been living in the land of the Brazilians for a century, are clung to their roots since they are nourished with spiritual and cultural values.

In modern Armenian history, special importance is attached to the strengthening and development of Homeland-Diaspora relations, which have always been in the focus of the Armenian people and Armenian clergymen. Guided by this symbol that has turned into a lifestyle for Armenians, for more than 30 years, Father, Archbishop Tatev Gharibyan has stayed true to the doctrine of the national church and has preserved the unique image of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil.

I am certain that under your leadership the Diocese will continue the traditions of His Holiness Tatev and will become a sacred place for religion, culture, education and discipline, a smithy with the main elements of the Christian mindset of the Armenians, the endless spiritual force of which can keep the light of the lantern of Saint Gregory the Illuminator from the Holy Temple of Etchmiadzin burning.

Your Holiness, it’s inspiring to see that your spiritual service is closely linked to Armenians in the Americas. Stressing the importance of your pro-national activities spanning two decades and your great experience in that region, we are certain that new mechanisms will be developed to create more programs contributing to the preservation of national traditions and raising the level of national awareness in those Armenian communities and with your leadership you will become the guarantor for the deepening and strengthening of relations between Armenia and the Brazilian-Armenian community.

Your Holiness, under your leadership we expect to see further strengthening of the Armenia-Diaspora partnership, as well as the active participation and involvement of the Brazilian-Armenian community in the pan-Armenian programs organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

May God be with the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, with you, Your Holiness and the Armenians of Brazil.

WITH DEEP RESPECT,

HRANUSH HAKOBYAN