Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II has received around 30 young Armenians from the Diaspora attending Armenian and religious studies courses in Holy Etchmiadzin, urging them to put their newly acquired knowledge to use in strengthening their communities worldwide and Armenian national and church life.

The Catholicos stressed that such educational programs seek to provide Armenian youth from the Diaspora with an Armenian-centered upbringing and education, reinforce their national and spiritual identity, and deepen their connection with the Church and homeland.

Held for the second consecutive year with the blessing of the Catholicos, the courses aim to improve participants’ knowledge of the Armenian language and history, broaden their spiritual understanding, and introduce them to Armenia’s spiritual and cultural heritage and national values. The program has also included cultural events and pilgrimages to various holy sites across Armenia.

The program was coordinated by Father Shnorhk Sargsyan, deputy director of the Clergy and Youth Training Program at the Karekin I Educational Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The nuns of Ghazaravan also provided support with organizational matters.