PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
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October 6, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Receives President of Romania
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received President of Romania Traian Basescu and
his delegation yesterday, October 5. The Romanian president was
accompanied by Andranik Manukian, Minister of Transportation and
Communication of the Republic of Armenia and the ambassadors of
both countries.
Welcoming President Basescu to the headquarters of the Armenian Church,
His Holiness expressed his pleasure at the strong relations enjoyed
between the two states, stating "(They are) the continuation of
the close and warm ties that have existed between our peoples since
the Middle Ages. It gives us joy that Romanian-Armenians have for
centuries had their important contribution to the life of Romania
with their devoted service." Recalling that His Holiness Vasken I of
blessed memory, the 130th Catholicos of All Armenians, was born and
lived in Romania, the Armenian Pontiff noted that the nearly 40-year
reign of Vasken Catholicos played a significant role in the renewal
and reconstruction of the Mother See. His Holiness also extended
his congratulations to Romania for their upcoming membership in the
European Union, and extended his fraternal love and warm regards to
His Beatitude Teoctist I, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
President Basescu thanked His Holiness for the audience and expressed
his respect and admiration for the Armenian Church, her long history
and the faithful Armenian people. The president spoke of the important
role of spiritual values and religions in the shaping of a healthy
society, noting the imperative for ecumenical and inter-faith dialogue
at the highest levels to face the issues challenging mankind.
The meeting concluded with the Romanian president and the Catholicos of
All Armenians reflecting on the current status of Europe and Armenia’s
place as the first among Christian nations.
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