ETCHMIADZIN. – Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II ended his patriarchal visit to Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, on October 15, and returned to the Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin.   

Within the framework of his visit, a banquet was organized in New York on October 12, on the occasion of the Catholicos’ 60th birthday, the Holy See informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. 

During the event, the speakers noted Supreme Religious Council’s decision, which was reached during its session held on March 17-19, 2011, on establishing a Patriarchal Fund for the Preparation of Religious Servants.  

In his remarks, Berj Setrakian, President of the aforementioned Fund and of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), informed that AGBU decided to allocate $1 million for this objective.

In their turn, Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Artemis Nazarian, who organized the banquet, likewise donated $1 million to the Fund.

The donations are continuing.