Pope Francis greeted with Hrashapar service in Etchmiadzin June 24, 2016 - 16:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis accompanied by top clerics on Friday, June 24 arrived in Etchmiadzin, the main religious center of the Armenian people. Children carrying the flags of the Vatican and Armenia met the pontiff at the Etschmiadzin Cathedral. The pope was greeted with the Hrashapar (wondrously glorious) service, which is traditionally offered as a service of welcome to top religious clerics. Both the pope and the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II delivered remarks. Francis is then scheduled to meet with President Serzh Sargsyan in Yerevan. The pontiff's plane landed at the Zvartnots International Airport at 3:00pm local time. The pope caps his first day with a visit to the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where he will stay as a guest of the patriarch. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. 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. |