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.