SERZH SARGSYAN STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION IN MAINTAINING PEACE AND MORAL VALUES

armradio.am
29.09.2008 15:51

President Serzh Sargsyan today hosted the Catholicos of All Armenians
Garegin II, Heads of Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew I
who arrived in Armenia on the occasion of blessing the Holy Chrism and
representatives of sister churches of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Greeting the guests, the President said: "Muron is of special symbolic
importance or us. Every Armenian believes that spreading all over the
world, the Muron returns to Holy Etchmiadzin – our religious center
and it’s the spiritual magnetism of our people."

Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of religion in maintaining peace
and moral values, fighting against despair, immorality and temptations,
since there are many temptations in the contemporary world.

"Having been deprived of statehood for many centuries, the Church has
guided our people to the 21st century. Every official should return
his duty to the church for our country to grow stronger and for our
belief to lead us towards brighter future," the President said.

The Patriarch thanked the representatives of sister churches for
participating in the ceremony of blessing of Holy Muron.

On behalf of Pope Benedict 16th, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri wished peace,
prosperity to the=2 0Armenian people and noted: "The enthusiasm with
which people participated in the ceremony of blessing the Holy Muron
shows their exceptional devotion to the church."