PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
October 14, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Receives the President of the Republic of Bulgaria

On September 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, received His Excellency Georgi Parvanov,
President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The President was accompanied
by his wife, Mrs. Zorka Parvanov; Archbishop Dometiyan, Metropolitan
of Vidin of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church; and high-ranking delegation
members from Bulgaria.

The Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed the Bulgarian President to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and introduced him to the long history
of Christianity in Armenia. His Holiness noted with pleasure his many
happy memories from his Pontifical Visit to Bulgaria two years ago.
His Holiness also spoke of the current status of Church-State relations
within Armenia, as well as the difficult regional and global issues
currently facing the civilized world. The Catholicos asked that the
President and the Metropolitan convey his fraternal greetings and
Christian love to His Holiness Maxim, Patriarch of the Bulgarian
Orthodox Church.

President Parvanov thanked His Holiness for the reception, noting
his happiness at the progress of relations between the two states and
two Churches. The President placed great importance on the spreading
of Christian ethics, morality and values throughout society, and
confirmed that it was due to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the
Christian faith of the Bulgarian people that his nation and country
have managed to overcome great difficulties.

Metropolitan Dometiyan conveyed the warm greetings of the Patriarch
and Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to the Pontiff of
All Armenians, and noted that it was a great joy for him to visit
the spiritual and hierarchal center of the worldwide Armenian Church.
The Archbishop further stated his confidence that the warm relationship
between the two Churches was an excellent example of brotherhood and
friendship which would greatly benefit the progress and prosperity
of Christians worldwide.

His Grace Bishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of the Department
of Inter-Church Relations of the Mother See, and ambassadors of both
countries also attended the meeting.

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