The Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia, Kirill, visits Armenia and is greeted by the Apostolic Church Bishops. Yerevan Etchmiadzin, Armenia. 17/03/2010.
Photographers: Vahan Stepanyan, Davit Hakobyan / PanARMENIAN Photo
The Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia, Kirill, arrived in Armenia on the 16th of March, 2010. He was met at the Zvartnots airport by "Catholics of All Armenia"; Karekin II, 12 bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), the Minister of Education and Science of Armenia and ambassadors of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania in Armenia.
From the airport the Patriarch Kirill went to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Headquarters of the Armenian Church, where a welcoming ceremony was held. During the ceremony one of the most significant shrines of the Armenian Apostolic Church –The Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator was introduced to the Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin.
The Patriarch then laid a wreath at the monument to Russian soldiers killed in the battle for Etchmiadzin near Oshakan during the Russian-Persian war of 1826-1828.
On March 17th, the Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia honoured victims of the Armenian Genocide. He laid flowers to the eternal fire and attended the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute. He also planted a fir at the Memory Alley and made a note in the Commemoration Book. “Eternal Memory to the innocent murder victims. May God protect the Armenian land and its people,” His Holiness Kirill wrote.
Photographers: Vahan Stepanyan, Davit Hakobyan / PanARMENIAN Photo
