ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES KAREKIN II AND ARCHBISHOP CLASS

ARMENPRESS
Oct 3, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 3, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
received today Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, archbishop
class of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that the president greeted
the guests saying that he was happy to receive them few days later
after chrism blessing ceremony. According to the president, this
ceremony most rightly symbolizes the idea of unity and collectiveness
of our people.

The president said that not having statehood for thousands of
years, the church always supported our people and guided until 21st
century. "We as a state must return the debt to the church so that
it will become stronger and lead our people," Serzh Sargsyan said,
adding that the state is always ready to support the church.

Catholicos on his part welcomed the permanent attention of the state
to the issues of the church. Noting that the church supports all
the programs of the head of the country which are aimed at ensuring
progress and development, Karekin II said that they are already
notable.

The president also answered to the questions of the present and gave
some explanations over the recent events.