ETCHMIADZIN. –  Under the chairmanship of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council (SSC)—the highest executive body of the Armenian Apostolic Church—kicked off in Stepanakert, the capital city of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh).

At the opening of the meeting Karekin II conveyed his blessings to the clergy and lay members of the Council, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Information Services informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. He also conveyed his personal appreciation to Bako Sahakyan, President of the NKR; and Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, for the invitation to hold the SSC meeting in Artsakh, and on the occasion of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the independence of Artsakh. The Catholicos of All Armenians stressed the importance of holding the Council meetings in various Armenian dioceses, which will promote awareness and further strengthen the spiritual life of the communities.

“Our visit to Artsakh is a pilgrimage for us: a land which holds the memories of our ancestors, and where there are many holy shrines,” stated Karekin II. “We are here to kneel down in this sacred sanctuary and offer our prayers to Almighty God for the welfare of Artsakh and the prosperous life of the Armenians of Artsakh.” He stressed that the Armenian Church, with its worldwide dioceses and communities, has always been and remains by the side of the Armenians of Artsakh.

The Catholicos of Armenians also announced that on the occasion of this visit, and on behalf of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Dioceses of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, the Mother See again transfers 500 thousand US dollars to Artsakh, for the needs of the Armenians of Artsakh.

Karekin II also prayed that God keep Artsakh in peace, and grant a prosperous and tranquil life.

Reflecting on the Council’s agenda, the Catholicos of All Armenians noted that the issues to be discussed are of great importance for the regulation of the activities of the ecclesiastical structures of the Armenian Church, and effective organization of its mission and progress. Karekin II expressed his appreciation to the SSC members for their dedication and commitment.

Before approving the agenda items, the members offered a prayer for the soul of the late Alberto Djeredjian (Diocese of Argentina of South America) a member of the SSC, who passed away on Monday.

The three-day meeting agenda items include matters related to the National Ecclesiastical Assembly, Supreme Spiritual Council policies, revisions to the Ecclesiastical-Representative Assembly bylaws, and reports on the religious institutions and activities of the dioceses.