Photographs: The Catholicos Receives King Abdullah II of Jordan

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, welcomed King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein Al-Hashimi of Jordan during his official visit to Armenia at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This information was provided by the information service of the Mother See.

Welcoming the visit of the King of Jordan to Armenia and the Mother See, His Holiness expressed hope that this visit would further strengthen the relations between the two countries, greatly contributing to future close cooperation.

The Catholicos joyfully confirmed the caring attitude of Jordanian authorities towards the Armenian community and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem as the best manifestation of established friendly relations. In this regard, His Holiness also emphasized that the award he received during his pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 2000, when he visited Jordan, is a sign of that attitude and respect for the Armenian people.

During the conversation, the Armenian Patriarch noted with satisfaction that the descendants of the Armenian people, who survived genocide, have been able to regain their normal life in Jordan, contributing to the country’s progress with hope and optimism for the future.

Referring to the historical circumstances that have shaped the large Armenian diaspora and the reality of living alongside various cultures and religions, His Holiness highlighted the importance of close cooperation among spiritual leaders of different countries to prevent the misuse of religious sentiments, conflicts based on them, and the manifestations of intolerance within societies. In this aspect, the Catholicos noted that the relations between Armenia and Jordan and the life of the Armenian community in Jordan could serve as the best example of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence for many nations in building interfaith relations between Christianity and Islam.

For his part, His Majesty King Abdullah II expressed his joy on this occasion, particularly speaking about the relations between Christian and Islamic peoples and the beliefs of his ancestors in this regard. Addressing the significant role of the Armenian community in Jordan and other countries of the Middle East, King Abdullah II expressed hope that with the development of relations with Armenia, the Armenian community in Jordan would also strengthen.

King Abdullah II also reaffirmed his willingness to continue supporting the Armenian Church and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The King expressed concern about the prevailing situation in the Middle East, the issue of decreasing Christian presence, and particularly about the Armenian community in Syria, stating his readiness to provide the necessary support for the maintenance of Armenian Christian presence.

In conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians wished the King of Jordan a fruitful reign for the advancement of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the welfare of its people.