On March 13, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan visited the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate of Lebanon where she had a meeting with Armenian Catholicos-Patriarch of the House of Cilicia Nerses Petros XIX. The minister was accompanied by the delegation of the RA Embassy led by Ambassador Ashot Kocharyan. Among others attending the meeting were Bishop Manuel Batagian, General Vicar of the Patriarchal Diocese, Supreme Archimandrite Gabriel Mouradian, Archimandrite Vartan Gazanjian and members of the patriarchal committee on commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, as Lebanon’s Aztag Daily reports.

The Catholicos-Patriarch greeted the minister and praised the large-scale programs and activities that the RA Ministry of Diaspora carries out for all Armenians around the world. During the nearly one-hour meeting, the sides discussed the pan-national events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and the steps for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The Catholicos-Patriarch talked about the past and current activities of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate and stressed the imperative to work together at all levels. The Catholicos-Patriarch also attached importance to the Holy Mass that Pope Francis will be serving at the St. Peter Temple of the Vatican in memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide on 12 April during which Saint Grigor Narekatsi will be proclaimed an archimandrite of the Universal Church. Explaining the significance of this title, the Holy Father mentioned that only 35 saints have received this title to this day.

The sides also touched upon the activities of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the issues concerning Syrian-Armenians.

The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.