Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting

The first Supreme Spiritual Council meeting of 2016, presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, was held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin from February 16-18. His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshian, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, along with His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern) and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America served as the co-Chairmen of the meeting. 

A number of issues including ecclesiastical, religious, canonical, social issues were on the agenda. The convention of the national ecclesiastical assembly was also discussed during the meeting. The national ecclesiastical assembly is the body which elects the Catholicos of All Armenians. At the initiative of the 132nd Catholicos of All Armenians, the representative body will convene in 2017 to address the issues and challenges facing the Armenian Apostolic Church. 

An extensive report of the Genocide's Centennial Commemorative events was presented by His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan. The Papal Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis I to Armenia as well as construction projects taking place at the Mother See were also discussed. The Mother See's financial report was presented on the last day of the meeting.