ETCHMIADZIN. – Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Saturday traveled to the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhijevan. 

In Yekaterinburg, Russia, the Catholicos will preside over the consecration ceremony of the newly built Saint Karapet Armenian Church.   

At the regional hall of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Region), Karekin II met with Governor Yevgeny Kuyvashev, informs the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The governor reflected on the Armenian-Russian friendship and the Sverdlovsk-Armenian community’s important contribution to the oblast.      

Kuyvashev also congratulated the Armenian Catholicos on the opening of the new church, and expressed confidence that the church will give a new impetus to the spiritual life of the local Armenian community.  

On his part, Karekin II spoke about the relations and close cooperation between the Christian Armenian and Russian peoples.  

He stated that the Armenians in Russia are able to freely organize their spiritual and national life and contribute to Russia’s progress.