SERZH SARKISSIAN: "MURON IS A MIGHTY WEAPON"
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[02:06 pm] 03 October, 2008
On October 3 Serzh Sakissian hosted the Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II, members of the Episcopate of the Armenian Apostolic Church
and secular members of the Supreme Religious Council.
Addressing senior clergymen, Serzh Sarkissian said: "I’m glad to
welcome you at the President’s Office just a few days after the
blessing of the Holy Muron." According to the President, Muron is a
mighty weapon and the ceremony most correctly symbolised the idea
of unity and collectiveness, the defending role of the church for
people. According to the Armenian President, having been deprived of
statehood for a thousand years, the church has always supported our
people and has guided us to the 21st century. "As a state, we have a
duty to return to the church for it to strengthen and lead our people
forward," said Serzh Sarkissian and noted that the state is always
ready to support the church.
The Catholicos welcomed the constant attention of the state towards
the church. He assessed as encouraging and inspiring the attitude
the Armenian Church and the Dioceses get during every visit of the
President. His Holiness Karekin II noted that the church backs all
the programmes of the President, which are targeted at the progress
and development of the country.
The interlocutors attached importance to the establishment of the
Ministry of Diaspora, which will provide an opportunity to address
the Diaspora issues more seriously.
President Sarkissian gave clarifications regarding the recent events,
particularly the Georgian-Ossetian and Armenian-Turkish relations.