On 8 June, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received poet Aleksandr Poryadochni at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Accompanying Poryadochni was leader of the Jewish community of Armenia Rima Varzhapetyan.

During the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians congratulated Mr. Aleksandr Poryadochni on releasing the Armenian version of the poem “Silver Thread” devoted to the history of the Armenian people, their unbreakable will and the heroic battle for Artsakh, as well as on the occasion of the recent presentation of the poem in Armenia. His Holiness gave his blessing and expressed his appreciation to the poet for his generosity towards the Armenian people and stressed the fact that his poem is a great service to the Armenian people.

Touching upon the pain and suffering that the Armenians have experienced throughout history, as well as the the poet’s reflection on faith and optimism, the Catholicos of All Armenians also talked about the commonalities between the Jews and the Armenians and the current close ties. “Our nations have always been persecuted and have been deprived of their homelands, losing their country, but thanks to their great faith and God’s piety, they have always resisted all trials and tribulations and have risen again,” said the Catholicos of All Armenians.

In his turn, poet Aleksandr Poryadochni expressed his love for and respect towards the Armenian people, their past and rich culture, after which he presented the difficult process of composing the poem “Silver Thread”, underlining that those feelings have inspired him and have filled him with enthusiasm throughout his career.

In the end, His Holiness prayed to God to keep all mankind in peace.

The meeting was attended by Diocesan Delegate of the U.S. Eastern Diocese in Washington, Director of Inter-Church Relations, Father, Archbishop Vigen Aykazyan, reports the information service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to “Hayern Aysor”.