16 26.06.16 - Pope Francis and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II visited Khor Virap monastery in Ararat province of Armenia Pope releases doves towards Armenia-Turkey border June 26, 2016 - 17:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis on Sunday, June 26, visited Khor Virap monastery in Ararat province of Armenia. Francis arrived in Armenia Friday and was greeted by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, President Serzh Sargsyan and First Lady Rita Sargsyan. In Khor Virap, the pontiff prayed and released doves in the direction of Mount Ararat and the Armenian-Turkish border as a sign of peace. Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 14 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to officially convert to Christianity. Also Sunday, the Pope met with the bishops of the Armenian Catholic Church, taking part in the holy liturgy and ecumenical dinner with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church and representatives of the papal delegation. The pope then met with delegates and benefactors of the Armenian Church. Upon his arrival on Friday, the pope was greeted in Etchmiadzin with the Hrashapar (wondrously glorious) service, which is traditionally offered as a service of welcome to top religious clerics. He then left for the presidential palace in Yerevan and was greeted by Sargsyan. The two headed for the receptions hall for an auditorium. On Saturday, he visited the Armenian Genocide memorial and left a note in the guestbook. Also Saturday, the Pope and the Catholicos delivered a holy mass in Gyumri, the secong biggest country in Armenia. In the evening, the pontiff served an ecumenical service and prayer for peace at the Republic Square in Yerevan. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. |