ARMENIANS, CHURCH LEADERS WELCOME CATHOLICOS IN KUWAIT

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I was welcomed by the Armenian community and church leaders during his five-day pontifical visit to Kuwait from May 9-13, which also included meetings with officials and diplomats.   

On the first day of his visit, on Tuesday, May 9, the Catholicos presided an ecumenical thanksgiving service at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Kuwait, attended by the  

heads and faithful from Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Coptic Orthodox, Coptic Catholic, Evangelical, Latin, Maronite, and Armenian churches.   

Within the framework of the activities related to the Year of the Armenian Diaspora II, on Thursday, May 11, His Holiness also met with the Kuwaiti Armenian community organizations at St. Nerses Shnorhali atrium. It was an opportunity for community representatives to lay out their plans, suggestions, and concerns, as well as to receive guidance from the Catholicos.     

On Thursday too he visited the Armenian school of Kuwait and the Arekag Kindergarten, where he was warmly received by the principals, administration, Board of Trustees, teachers, and students. School functions in his honor, including songs and poetry reciting, brought joy to the pontifical delegation. His Holiness expressed his joy and praise to children and their teachers, prior to meeting principals and staff.  

A crowded agenda included a visit to the Armenian Embassy in Kuwait, where he was received by Ambassador Sarmen Baghdasarian. They discussed Armenia’s growing relations with the Gulf country and the role of the Kuwaiti Armenian community.   

On Friday, May 12, the Catholicos presided over Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church, where he delivered a pontifical message to the faithful, including ambassadors and officials.    

His Holiness expressed his joy to visit Kuwait and meeting with the Armenian community which he praised for the thriving atmosphere he observed. His Holiness praised the pontifical vicar V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manouelian for his work and granted him the right to wear an episcopal mitre, and commended Rev. Fr. Ardag Keheyayan for his devoted service.    

At the end of the service, the faithful received the pontifical blessing.   

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the pontifical delegation visited the Vatican Embassy, where they were warmly received by Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. During their meeting, they discussed issues concerning the region, as well as the Christian communities of the region.