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His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, gave his blessing to a children’s concert to be performed on the occasion of Metropolitan Hilarion’s visit to Armenia. They both attended the concert that took place at the Patriarchal Youth Centre in Nor Nork district of Yerevan in the evening of 13 December 2010.

Bishop Ezras (Nersesian), head of the Novo-Nakhichevan and Russian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church; Bishop Natan (Ovanesian), head of the Publications Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; Bishop Ovakim (Manukian), head of the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; Bishop Markos (Oganesian) of Gegarkuni, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Armenia V. Kovalenko were among the audience.
After the concert, Metropolitan Hilarion addressed its participants and guests, saying:

“I have not expected such skill and mastery of so young children. I believe this is   thanks to their parents, leaders of the youth centre and, certainly, the Church. It is not fortuitous that a wonderful performance ended with ended with the setting up of a cross as a symbol of Armenia. Wherever you are in this country, you would always see cross of various forms and differently decorated, but always depicting the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“I believe that the Armenian people could endure and hold out all trials because they have always been faithful to Christ and the Church. I wish these children to be the true sons and daughters of their nation. I wish God’s blessings upon this holy land and the flourishing of the faith here.”

His Holiness Karekin II has shown the premises to Metropolitan Hilarion and told him of its artistic and social activities. The Patriarchal Youth Centre is one of the nine houses for the youth sponsored by the Armenian Apostolic Church for over five thousand young people, developing their artistic and musical talent. In addition, a particular attention is paid to social ministry. Every day some two hundred poor people have free lunches, and children bring meals to those who cannot come.

After the concert, Metropolitan Hilarion gave dinner in honour of His Holiness Karekin II, Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Present also were bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Russian Ambassador V. Kovalenko, and members of the Moscow Patriarchate delegation.