FOUNDATION OF ST. CROSS CHURCH IN MOSCOW CONSECRATED UNDER LEADERSHIP
OF CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS AND WITH PARTICIPATION OF PATRIARCH OF
MOSCOW AND ALL-RUSSIA
MOSCOW, October 20 (Noyan Tapan). Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin
II departed to Moscow on October 15 to mark the 75th anniversary of
Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II, as well as for the
consecration of the foundation of the Surb Khach (St. Cross) Church
and the residence of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church. Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II
accompanied by high-ranking representatives of priesthood, Archbishop
Grigoris Buniatian, Head of the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian
Church, Ezras Nersisian, Head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan
Diocese, and members of the Diocesan Board met Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II at the airport. On October 16 morning, His
Holiness visited Surb Harutiun (St.
Resurrection) Church in Moscow. The ceremony of the consecration of
the foundation of the St. Cross Church was held the same day under the
leadership of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and with the
participation of Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II. 16
consecrated stones were laid into the foundation of the church. After
the ceremony Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II thanked Patriarch
of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II and the authorities of Russia for
contribution to the construction of the church, as well as for the
careful attitude towards the Armenian Community of Moscow. “Our soul
is glad on the occasion of the happy event, which we mark together
with the Armenian Community today and which is held simultaneously
with the celebration of the jubilee of His Holiness Patriarch of
Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II. Today we thank God that we day by day
develop the relations between our countries and strengthen fraternal
love between our peoples and our churches in the spirit of
traditionally steadfast friendship and cooperation,” said, in
particular, the Catholicos of All Armenians. The Supreme Patriarch
blessed philanthropists of the St.
Cross Church Vitaly Grigoriants, Murad Sargsian and others. Then
Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II spoke. He expressed hope
that the construction of the church will more strengthen the relations
between the two people and churches. “Warm relations have been formed
between the two peoples during long years and centuries. A friend in
need is a friend indeed, and when Armenia faced disasters, when the
earthquake in Spitak took human lives, Russia was with the Armenian
people, shared its pain and sufferings. I thank You, Your Holiness,
that when Russia experiences the ramifications of the terrorist acts,
You always share our pain, support us with Your prayers in Holy
Etchmiadzin,” said the Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia, expressing
hope that “the Cathedral, which will be constructed here, will be the
place, where friendship between the two peoples and cooperation
between our churches will grow and consolidate.” Moscow Mayor Yury
Luzhkov also sent congratulations to the Armenian Community.
“When we speak of the Armenian Apostolic Church, we feel our spiritual
kinship, which unites our churches, the especial similarity of our
peoples, which was born many centuries ago and which, thank God,
consolidates and I hope will consolidate in the future,” mentioned the
Moscow Mayor. According to the Information System of the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, Georgy Poltavchenko, Plenipotentiary of the
President of Russia to the Central Federal Okrug, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Russia Armen Smbatian,
Chairman of the Diocesan Council Artur Chilingarov and numerous
believers also participated in the ceremony. A meeting of the two
Patriarchs was held at the patriarchal residence after the
ceremony. The Head of the Russian Orthodox Church gave the Catholicos
of All Armenians the supreme award of the church, the order of
St. Andrey Perwozwanny, for contribution to the strengthening of
friendship and cooperation between the Russian and Armenian churches
and peoples.