From February 19-21, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over a regular meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. At the opening of the meeting, His Holiness extended his blessings and appreciation to the Council members for their service.
Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, Vicar General of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem; and Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Vicar General of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, served as the co-Chairmen of the meeting. On the agenda were issues related to adoption of the Constitution; life and the spiritual, educational and outreach mission of the Dioceses; activities for the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; and current problems.
Patriarchal Vicar, Archbishop Aris Shirvanian; presented a report on the recent activities of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, providing details on the election of the Patriarch-elect, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian. Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Patriarchal Vicar, presented a report on the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Archbishop Aram noted that the health condition of Patriarch Mesrob Mutafian remains grave and he is under the constant care of doctors. He also reported on the private efforts for the protection and recovery of the Armenian holy sites. Council members prayed for Gods support for the Patriarch.
Bishop Arshak Khatchatryan, Chancellor of the Catholicosate of All Armenians, presented a report on the 2012 activities of the Mother See, including the educational and ecumenical programs, and the outreach and social missions.
The second session agenda included a discussion of the planned Armenian Church activities for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. They discussed plans presented from Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan Primate of the Shirak Diocese. Mr. Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute discussed the relevance of the planned activities and the possible co-operation with the Mother See. The Supreme Spiritual Council appointed Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, to coordinate proposals for the program and the schedule of events and activities to be undertaken.
