Primates from Damascus on a one week visit to the Armenian

Catholicosate of Holy Etchmiadzin


On May 17, a delegation of Patriarchal Vicars, Primates and Bishops of the Christian Churches of Damascus arrived in Armenia at the invitation of Catholicosate of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin. The delegation was led by His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in Damascus.

The members of the delegation are the Primates of the Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Maronite Catholic, Syrian Catholic, and Melkite Greek Catholic Churches. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received and welcomed them. The Syriac Orthodox delegation includes Metropolitans Mor Silwanos Petrus Isaa (Homs & Hama) Mor Philoxenos Mathias Nayis (Patriarchal Assistant, Director of St. Ephraim's Patriarchal Seminary) and Mor Dionysius Yuhanon Kawaq (Director of Patriarchal Office & Headquarters).

During their one week stay, the high-ranking clergymen will visit the Monasteries of St. Gayane and St. Hripsimeh; the Monastery of St. Geghard; the Monasteries of Khor Virap and Oshakan; the Russian Orthodox Church of Kanaker; and the Assyrian Church of Upper Dvin.

They will also be introduced to the activities of the divisions, departments and offices of the Armenian Church and will meet with the students and professorial staff of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, the Vaskenian Theological Academy of Lake Sevan and the Theological Faculty of Yerevan State University.