PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: primate@armenian.com.au
29 March 2008
PRIMATE’S RETURN FROM THE SUPREME SPIRITUAL COUNCIL MEETING
Sydney, Australia – The Supreme Spiritual Council convened its meetings for
the new year from 6-8 March at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His
Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Australia and New Zealand arrived in Yerevan on 4 March to attend
the meetings.
In light of the political and civil unrest in Armenia, the Supreme Spiritual
Council petitioned the people of Armenia to settle for peace, harmony,
reconciliation and solidarity without which, the nation could be
jeopardised. Whilst the three day meetings were overshadowed by solemness
for the current events that had unfolded, the Council nonetheless carried
out its business which involved discussions relating to the Armenian Church
as well as preparations for the Blessing of the Chrism Ceremony due to take
place on 28 September, 2008.
Following a one week stay in Armenia, Archbishop Baliozian made his return
passage to Sydney via Dubai and Bangkok. In Dubai, His Eminence was present
at the ‘Hesgoom’ service at St Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in
Sharjah on Wednesday, 12 March where he delivered the evening’s sermon. At
the conclusion of the service, he was invited to partake in a special event
reserved for visiting clergy to the church. The Armenian Church at Sharjah
is assembling a monument dedicated to the Armenian Alphabet. High ranking
visiting clergy are invited to bless a letter of the alphabet carved from
‘tuf’ stone from Armenia and place it on the structure. Archbishop
Baliozian chose to bless the letter "cha" representing the Armenian word
"charcharank" (meaning suffering) signifying Jesus’ sufferance for the sins
of the world with Easter week approaching.
On Friday, 14 March Archbishop Baliozian arrived in Bangkok to meet with the
small Armenian Community. As Pontifical Legate of India and the Far East,
he ensures his overseas travels include an annual pastoral visit to this
community en route of a journey. On Saturday, the Archbishop celebrated the
Divine Liturgy and delivered his sermon to the faithful after which he had
the opportunity to meet with community members. The same evening, Honorary
Consul of Armenia in Thailand, Mr Greg Der Kevorkian and his family along
with community members of Bangkok hosted a dinner reception in honour of
Archbishop Baliozian.
Archbishop made his way home on Monday 17 March.