On the evening of May 26, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia arrived in Armenia to participate in the fourth session of the State Commission in charge of Coordinating the Events Dedicated to the 100^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

In front of the Trdata Bridge at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Aram I was greeted by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. With the accompaniment of cenobites of the Mother See, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia entered the Mother Temple under the “Hrashapar”.

After a prayer of thanks, Catholicos Karekin II welcomed the visit of Catholicos Aram I to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and expressed confidence that in spite of the busy schedule, they would have the opportunity transmit their patriarchal messages and blessings to Armenians, calling for unity and service and with the desire for Armenians to be victorious for the establishment of peace.

The Catholicos of All Armenians also asked the Lord for support to the service of all hard-working servants of the Armenian Church, expressing satisfaction to God for giving opportunities to meet and pray for the safety and welfare of the Armenians, as well as for the nation-building and advancement of the Homeland.

In his turn, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia expressed joy for being at the Mother See as an opportunity to renew the sacrament and reinforce faith. Catholicos Aram I also addressed the service of Armenian clergymen for the Homeland and the people and particularly mentioned: “…The Mother Homeland is the home for our faith, and throughout history, our nation has shed blood for the Homeland…The freedom, independence and protection of the Homeland is a supreme value for us. Today, we are called for reinforcing Armenia’s independence, which requires more sacrifice. As servants of the Armenian Church, as representatives of the Armenian Church, all of us are called for nation-building in Armenia and the Diaspora.”

The ceremony ended with the blessings and the united prayer of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

Information Service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin