At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received participants of the 7^th International Conference of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the American University of Armenia. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan and Head of the Divan of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Bishop Arshak Khachatryan were also attending the meeting.

Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan expressed gratitude to the Supreme Patriarch for the reception and presented the results of the conference. The minister also mentioned that the members of this Association have made great efforts and contributions for the strengthening and development of the Armenia-Diaspora relations.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II conveyed his blessing to the participants of the conference. “Women are not only the pillars of the Armenian family, but also the nation and country in whose hands the future of the Armenian people is shaped and thanks to whom the lives of Armenians become better, the Homeland and Church become strong. I welcome the AIWA International Conference in the Homeland and encourage these kinds of pro-national events organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora. May God bless and guide you in your mission!”

During the meeting, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians also touched upon the birth of children. The Supreme Patriarch urged the participants to encourage young families to give birth to children ahead of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide in 2015. With that, they will not only respect the memory of the Armenian martyrs, but will also help solve the demographic issue facing all Armenians around the world.

In the end, the participants of the conference asked the Supreme Patriarch their questions of concern.

After the meeting, everyone took part in a Divine Liturgy at the Mother Temple and prayed for the establishment of peace in the Near East.