On February 16-18 under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Supreme Spiritual Council meeting in an extended format was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The meeting was opened with the Lord’s Prayer. The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the council members and offered his blessings to the participants, wishing them a productive meeting. The Supreme Patriarch expressed his joy over the presence of invited AGBU president Berge Setrakian at the meeting, noting with satisfaction that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has always felt support from Mr. Berge Setrakian, as from the AGBU president and benefactor of Mother See.

The co-chairman for the meeting were; His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Vicar General of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople; His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

Canonical and legal, national and social, diocesan and community–based, church construction and disciplinary issues were discussed during the meeting.

The first session focused on plans to convene a National-Ecclesiastical Assembly and an Ecclesiastical Representative Assembly. Then the chairman of the National-Ecclesiastical Assembly Organizational Committee, His Eminence Bishop Arshak Khachatrian; and the chairman of the Church's highest governing body regulations processing committee, who makes suggestions on different issues to be discussed as agenda items during aforementioned assemblies, His Eminence, Bishop Hovnan Terteryan, gave reports.

Considering the necessity for the preparatory works, it was decided to convene the National Ecclesiastical Assembly and the Ecclesiastical Representatives' Assembly in 2017 and October 2016 respectively.

The Supreme Spiritual Council also listened to the report of Bishop Bagrat Galsyan, Director of Ecclesiastical Conceptual Affairs Office, on the Canonization of Armenian Genocide victims.

Pope Francis is expected to visit Armenia's Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in September 2016, which was also announced at the Supreme Spiritual Council assembly meeting. The Mother See keeps in touch with Vatican over the expected visit.

His Grace Bishop Haigazun Najarian; Pontifical Legate of India and the Far East, conveyed information on Armenian communities of Yangon, Singapore, Bangkok, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Dhaka (Bangladesh) in particular. His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan, Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, gave a report on Armenian communities in Belgium, Holland, Spain and Italy.

Details were provided regarding the current renovation and reconstruction work at the Mother See. In that regard, special reference was made to foundation reinforcement and renovation work at the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The renovations of the headquarters of the Catholicosate and the construction of Eurnekian High School new building will be completed this year.

The Supreme Spiritual Council expressed satisfaction at the work that had been completed, highlighting efforts aimed at prosperity and splendor of the Armenian spiritual center.

The Council also received the 2015 Financial Report of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. An annual report on the activities of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for 2015 was presented.

Correspondingly, 854 events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, such as commemorative services, conferences, seminars, the intra-church services, the sanctification of the Khachkars(cross-stones), exhibitions et al were held.

It was noted that the Catholicosate of All Armenians has 742 clergymen - 54 Archbishops and Bishops, 48 Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers, 40 monks, 469 married priests and 131 Deacons. 51 clergymen hold their service in the RA Armed Forces, 7 clergymen serve in 12 penitentiary institutions in Armenia.

In 2015, 1206 employees worked for the Mother See, 1359 employees worked for Armenian Dioceses and Artsakh.

There were 295 students studying in the religious- educational institutions of the Mother See – 98 in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, 81 in the Vaskenian Theological Academy at Lake Sevan, 43 in the Harichavanq Turpanjian High School, 31 in the accelerated clergy training course, 42 in Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in Calcutta. 324 students attend Eurnekian High School. 45 children studied at Eurnekian Primary School.

In 2015, seven youth centers in Etchmiadzin, Ashtarak, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Yerevan (Arabkir, Malatia, Nork) and the Kanaker miniature painting centre educated more than 3,500 children and youth, and organized over 282 various events on the occasion of church, national and state Feast days during the last year.

The Social Service Department of the Mother See has offered assistance through all possible means to the most vulnerable population groups. In the reporting year, a large volume of support has been implemented, including cash assistance, to 20,000 people.

In 2015, charity canteens in Malatya, Arabkir, Nork, Etchmiadzin and Vanadzor were available to nearly 1000 socially vulnerable people to come and get their daily food. 14 children are taken care of at Nakashian Children's Support Center. At Izmirlyan Medical Center patients receive appropriate medical treatment.

In the Armenian and Diaspora dioceses, 21 new churches were consecrated in 2015, and 34 churches are under construction or renovation. Many parishes operate within the dioceses, with 271 Sunday Schools.

The Supreme Spiritual Council expressed satisfaction with the large-scale work undertaken during the reporting period and devoted efforts to support the Armenian Church and her mission.

To close the meeting, Catholicos Karekin II led the council members in a prayer. 

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services