ARMENIAN CATHOLICOS RECEIVES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OFFICIAL
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September 24, 2012 | 12:08
ETCHMIADZIN. – The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Sunday
received His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
The Catholicos gave a high assessment to the ties and cooperation
between the Armenian Apostolic and the Roman Catholic churches. He
noted that, by way of such visits, Armenians become witnesses to the
friendship that exists between both churches, Information Center of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin reports.
In his turn, Cardinal Koch noted that it is a great honor for him
to be in a country where Christianity was first proclaimed as state
religion, a country that has deep Christian roots and a rich culture,
and where the people have preserved their faithfulness to Christianity
to this day.
The interlocutors reflected on the challenges the Armenian Church
faced in Soviet years, the religious awakening during independent
statehood, and the accomplishments of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
In addition, the Catholicos briefed the Cardinal on the Mother
See’s ongoing programs, and stressed that, with the assistance by
the sister Catholic Church, several clergy from the Mother See have
continued their religious education at the Catholic higher education
institutions in a variety of countries.
After the meeting, the delegation led by Cardinal Kurt Koch attended
the Sunday Holy Mass celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin.