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 18, 2004

His Holiness Karekin II Receives Author Paulo Coelho

On October 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received famous Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Mr. Coelho was accompanied by Levon Ananian,
President of the Union of Writers of the Republic of Armenia; and Lilit
Galsdian director of the Hamazgayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society.

Welcoming Mr. Coelho to the headquarters of the Armenian Church, His
Holiness happily received the first Armenian translation of “The Alchemist”,
one of the renowned author’s most loved novels. His Holiness, noting his
pleasure that the author’s book was now available to the Armenian reader in
the Armenian language, stated: “Individuals such as you, through their
service, work and spirit, contribute to humanity the inspiration and will to
preserve unblemished and pure their image created by God.”

Expressing gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the reception,
Mr. Coelho emphasized that the history of the Armenian people has become a
new and encouraging source of inspiration for him. “This visit to Armenia
and to the spiritual center of every Armenian Christian is very important
and symbolic. My soul is rejoicing on the occasion of the translation of my
novel into Armenian”, noted the author, expressing his willingness to serve
the Armenian Church and asking for the blessing of His Holiness.

Also in attendance for the meeting were the translator and publisher of Mr.
Coelho’s novel. At the conclusion of the meeting His Holiness extended his
appreciation and Pontifical blessings to the delegation.