Vicarious Role of Catholicos in My Life, Says Armen Sarkissian

President Armen Sarkissian, accompanied by his wife Nune Sarkissian, attended the commemorative ceremonies and memorial events on the 20th anniversary of the late His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The memorial service was conducted under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, after which President Sarkissian delivered a commemorative speech. According to the official website of the presidency:

“It is difficult yet at the same time very honorable for me to remember Catholicos Karekin I today, not only as the President of the Republic of Armenia, but also as his friend. It is not for me to evaluate His Holiness. The evaluations and respect have already been given and will continue to be given in the future; it has been given by God by choosing him as His son, as the Catholicos of the Armenians. Our people have always been filled with respect and love for Catholicos Karekin I.”

“In my personal life, His Holiness has played a significant role. I can say that He was my biblical first teacher. Years ago, in the early '90s when I was in London as an ambassador, and His Holiness visited London for the first time, I received my first lesson from him while sitting next to him during the Divine Liturgy. As He conducted the entire service, His Holiness explained to me its spiritual significance. Our conversation continued for several hours afterwards and for many years to follow. Each time we met, I learned lessons about spiritual life and patriotism from Him.”

The president remembered that colleagues and figures from abroad were greatly impressed by their exchanges with Catholicos Karekin I, as he presented the history of our entire people and made them good friends of Armenia during their meetings. “When His Holiness was already seriously ill, the then-President of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, made an official visit to Armenia, one of the primary purposes of which was to see His Holiness before his passing. In the same way, Bill Clinton would often remind me of his brilliant meeting with His Holiness,” recounted the president. “When I was Prime Minister, we’d meet for lengthy conversations at His Holiness’s residence in Yerevan every two or three days after work. His Holiness was a great Armenian, a great man, and has left a huge impact. He exists and lives on.”