Conference of the Brotherhood Members Commenced in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On June 18, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the 6th conference of the Members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See was commenced. The theme of the conference of this year is: “Ahead to the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide” Present at the conference were 75 of the 93 clergymen serving world-wide in the Dioceses and organizations of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church (monks, archimandrites, Very Reverend Fathers).

Rev. Fr. Komitas Hovnanyan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, opened the conference. Greeting those present were also conference members Rev. Fr. Anania Gujanyan, attending from the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia; and Very Rev. Fr. Zakkeos Ohanyan, attending from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, extended his pontifical blessings and appreciation to the clergymen assembled in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness highlighted the importance of convening the conference ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, reflecting on the heavy losses of the Armenian people as a consequence of the massacre committed by Ottoman Turkey, when 1.5 million Armenian were sentenced to death, our nation lost its Homeland, thousands of churches were destroyed, national and cultural values were damaged, the church and national life was disturbed.

His Holiness also gladly noted that in spite of this crime, the Armenian people have tried their best to re-establish their lives with faith and hope, uniting around national and church organizations, and creating the foundations of its independent statehood through labors and hardships.

Reflecting on the mission of the Armenian clergymen, the Catholicos of All Armenians noted, “There are many hardships; our people, our country and church face many challenges, but as a nation believing in Christ, we know how to reject despair and skepticism, we know how to withstand all difficulties and obstacles with faith and hope. And this mission is heavy on the shoulders of the Armenian clergyman, to inspire spirit to our people, spreading positivism, and encouragement guiding our people on the paths of the light of hope and faith.”

His Holiness Karekin II urged the clergymen, as the true preachers of God’s word and commandments, to reinforce all Armenians dispersed throughout the Diaspora, with hope, faith and spirit of optimism, assist them in overcoming the hardships in their lives, and with national unity, further strengthen the fulfilled vision of our fathers, Armenian independent statehood, forging a prosperous and joyful life for Armenians.

At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians wished successful efforts for the conference, and confidently noted that the reflection upon the Armenian Genocide would further reinforce the clergymen in better observing the straight and true path of the mission of the Armenian clergyman inside the national life, and would make them realize their noble and God pleasing pastoral service with more fervor.

During the three day conference, Rev. Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan (“The Issue of Canonization of the Martyrs of the Armenian Great Genocide”), Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Avetisyan (“The Armenian Church During the Armenian Genocide”), and Dr. Ashot Melkonyan, Director of ANAS Institute of History (“The Issue of the Loss of the Homeland and the Foundations of the Legal Claims”), will be presenting their reports within the scopes of the conference theme. Rev. Fr. Markos Mangasaryan, Secretary of the Committee Coordinating Events Devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, will make a presentation on the upcoming events devoted to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide that will be held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

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