The four-day synod of bishops at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin concluded on Friday, September 27. Some 62 Armenian bishops and archbishops from around the word, representing the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the See of the Great House of Cilicia, came together for the synod, which is the first such meeting in the Armenian Church’s modern history.
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, presided over the synod and were present throughout its proceedings.
As reported last week, Catholicos Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I delivered formal addresses to the assembled clergymen. Republic of Armenia President Serge Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony and spoke as well. The synod also heard from Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Patriarchal Vicar of Constantinople.
With Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan serving as co-chairs, the synod discussed a series of pressing issues confronting the worldwide Armenian Church. Among these was the canonization of new Armenian saints—a practice that has fallen into disuse for several centuries. A special “sainthood committee” was assigned to study specific questions arising out of the synod’s intention to canonize the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.
The synod also adopted a uniform text for the church’s baptism and chrismation services, and established a foundation for the support of disadvantaged children in Armenia and Artskah, and for the aid of Armenians in war-torn Syria.
Representing the Canadian Diocese at the synod was His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian.
