“World needs more than ever to appreciate faith in God and in human values”: President Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem

President Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem. They were greeted by the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, His Eminence Ter Sevan Archbishop Gharibian.

The President and Mrs. Sarkissian toured the Church, lit candles and listened to the Armenian spiritual songs performed by the Armenian clergymen and prayed together with them.

On behalf of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Gharibian welcomed the visit of the President and his spouse to the holy town of Bethlehem and noted that Armenians presence here is of great national pride.

In the section of the Church of the Holy Nativity administered by the Armenian Apostolic Church, President Armen Sarkissian conversed with the clergy and said in particular, “Your mission, which started hundreds of years ago, at the beginning of the 21st century has the same value and the same meaning as it had on the day when Jesus Christ was born here. Thus, departure form that historic day doesn’t mean that its significance for the world and our people diminishes. On the contrary, it increases because the world needs more than ever to appreciate faith in God and in human values. That’s exactly what you do – devotion to God and preservation of human values, and I highly appreciate that. Historical, spiritual Armenian trace is here and one who enters this cathedral can really feel Armenian presence.

According to President Sarkissian, “It is very important to deepen the relations between the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and Jerusalem, to make it more vital, and at the same time deepen your ties to the Fatherland.”

The President of Armenia and the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem spoke about Armenian presence in the Holy Land and undertaken mission.