Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting Kicks Off at Mother See

On March 3, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and the secretariat of His Eminence Bishop Sahak Mashalian, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Supreme Spiritual Council (SSC) meeting commenced at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Perch Sedrakyan, was also invited to participate.

The meeting opened with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Welcoming the participation of spiritual and lay members of the SSC from various countries and Armenia, His Holiness joyfully emphasized that this is the first time in the capacity of Patriarch that the Bishop of Constantinople is bringing his participation to the SSC meeting. On this occasion, the Armenian Church Leader extended his best wishes to the Patriarch of Constantinople, seeking the Lord’s assistance and support for the fruitful implementation of his mission, the glory of the Patriarchal See of Constantinople, and the spiritual life of the Armenian community in Istanbul.

His Holiness also welcomed the participation of AGBU president Perch Sedrakyan, expressing satisfaction with the ongoing support provided by the AGBU to the Mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. The Catholicos of All Armenians addressed the comprehensive agenda included in the meeting, which concerns intra-church life and various issues affecting the Armenian Church and its people. His Holiness expressed gratitude to the SSC members for their beneficial service to the Holy Church and sought guidance from the Holy Spirit for the successful and effective conduct of the meeting.

The four-day agenda includes organizational work for the National-Church Gathering, the reinforcement and renovation process of the Mother Cathedral, the nationwide fundraising organized on this occasion, and questions related to the administrative, canonical, pastoral life, as well as the educational and social missions of the Armenian Church. The SSC will also review the activity report of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for 2019, listen to reports on spiritual-administrative activities, the financial statement, and the annual report of the auditing committee.