Expanding The Fundraising Mission Of The Renovation Of The Mother Cathedral Of Holy Etchmiadzin – Primate Travels To The Dioceses Of The Armenian Church Of France, The Uk And Austria

On October 24 and October 25, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, travelled to the Dioceses of the Armenian Church of France and the United Kingdom, respectively, to expand the mission and outreach of the Fundraising Committee.

On October 24, the Primate met with His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of France and the members of the Diocesan Council, and briefed the members of the community on the renovation progress of the Mother Cathedral in Holy Etchmiadzin, encouraging the active involvement of community through financial contributions to the God-pleasing deed.

On the following day, Archbishop Derderian travelled to London, England where he was welcomed by His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the evening, Archbishop Derderian met with the members of the community at St. Yeghiche Armenian Church were he outlined the state-of-the-art renovation project aimed at persevering the Mother Cathedral for another two to three centuries.

His Eminence will then travel to Austria where he will meet with His Grace Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, Pontifical Legate of Central Europe and Sweden. On Sunday, October 27, Archbishop Derderian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Hripsime Armenian Church. A reception will follow the service where His Eminence will encourage the participation of the Austrian-Armenian community to contribute to the fundraising efforts in preserving the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian people.