Print This Post

On 28 November 2011, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsian, at the residence of the head of the state. They were joined in the meeting by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

President Sargsian met His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the entrance to the residence and greeted him, saying: “I believe that Your visit will contribute to the further strengthening of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate You on Your jubilee and wish You all the best. We highly appreciate Your efforts undertaken for the revival of morality in society. We believe Your life to be a very good example of the service to the Motherland and the Church. I wish You good health and many years of active pastoral ministry.”

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill thanked the Armenian President and said that he was happy to visit the ancient land of Armenia. “I see the changes in the life of the people here and can witness positive development of the life and activity of the Armenian Apostolic Church guided by His Holiness Karekin II, Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

“It is not fortuitous that the present peacemaking meeting takes place in Armenia because His Holiness is a co-founder of the CIS Interreligious Council and takes an active part in the bilateral religious talks, in which I also participate modestly, on the solution of the Karabakh problem. Though the meeting was short, it was very good and useful.”

President Sargsian presented His Holiness Patriarch Kirill with the highest state award of the Republic of Armenia – the Order of St. Mesrob Mashtoz, in consideration of his substantial contribution to the deepening of traditional friendship between the peoples of Armenia and Russia, for preservation and development of spiritual values, and in connection with his 65th birthday.