President Armen Sarkissian hosted His Eminence Archbishop Levon Zekiyan

President Armen Sarkissian hosted today the Papal Legate for the Mekhitarist Congregation of Venice, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Diocese in Turkey, His Eminence Archbishop Levon Zekiyan. He was accompanied by Father Eghia Kilaghbjyan.

Welcoming His Eminence at the Presidential Palace, Armen Sarkissian said, “Our friendship dates back long years, decades. Our first and all subsequent meetings are special days in my memory, while the last meeting, in Vienna was a great pleasure. We visited together the historical premise of the Mekhitarist Congregation, its museum.” The President hailed the fruitful activities of His Eminence Archbishop Levon Zekiyan aimed at presenting to the world the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Armenian nation, preservation of the national identity and education of generations. “Your visit is important not only from the spiritual and religious standpoints but also from the cultural one,” the President of Armenia noted and added, “For me, you are first of all professor, specialist in the Armenian Studies, a real teacher, and a spiritual leader should first and foremost be a teacher. I believe, you’re a bridge not only between Armenia and our compatriots abroad, not only between the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches but also your role in the dissemination of the Armenian culture and literature, preservation of the Armenian language and its spread is significant.”

His Eminence Archbishop Levon Zekiyan thanked the President for the warm welcome and encouraging words and underscored, “I am certainly very happy to see you elected as President. I was happy first because of our friendship but also because of a person, such as you, has been elected to this high and responsible position. I cordially wish, also on behalf of all Mekhitarists, that God’s blessing and light is always with you, with your family and through you also with the country, so that hardships are overcome easily.”

The President and His Eminence spoke about the activities of the Congregation, underscored its unique, indispensable and huge role that the Mekhitarist Congragation has had since its inception, becoming known to the world as a spiritual, educational, literary, and scientific center.