Western Diocese

On March 19, 2010, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided over the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Following the Lord's Prayer, the Pontiff delivered his message of blessing to the members. The 2009 administrative and financial reports of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were presented to the members of the Council. Among the topics of discussion included issues pertaining to the hierarchical sees, intra-church activities and ecumenical relations.

The members also discussed and reviewed the three-day visit of His Holiness Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. His Holiness Karekin II reflected on the strong ties and close cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. The Supreme Spiritual Council expressed its appreciation to the organizing committee in receiving the report on the Patriarch's visit. His Holiness Karekin II also informed that Patriarch Kirill had presented to him a joint invitation from Sheikh ul-Islam Allhshukur Pasha-zadeh, spiritual leader of Caucasian Muslims, to participate in the upcoming summit of religious leaders in Baku, Azerbaijan. Spiritual leaders from the CIS and Baltic countries are scheduled to participate in the summit. The Pontiff also informed that the decision whether he will participate in the summit will be made following receipt of clarifications on the agenda of the meeting.

The Pontiff also reflected on his visit to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem on February 17-19, 2010.  The visit coincided with the 91^st birthday of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Patriarch, the 70^th anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood and the 20^th anniversary of his election as Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Additionally, the Pontiff presented the Patriarch the "St. Mesrob Mashdots" medal awarded to him by President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. The Supreme Spiritual Council also discussed a number of issues related to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The members welcomed the proposal made by His Holiness Karekin II to Patriarch Torkom Manoogian to convene a general meeting of the Patriarchate's Brotherhood of Saint James.

The Supreme Spiritual Council received the report on the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople from His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Chairman of the Religious Council of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. He provided information regarding the progress on the election process of a coadjutor patriarch. He confirmed that the necessary applications have been submitted to the Turkish authorities seeking permission to hold elections for a coadjutor patriarch. The Armenian community of Turkey is waiting for a  reply from the Turkish authorities on their request.

Another discussed topic was the proposed plans for administrative-structural improvements and reformations to diocesan and intra-Church life.

The meeting concluded with the remarks of His Holiness, his blessings to all the members and a closing prayer.