YEREVAN - On November 22, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, attended the ceremony of the opening of the Conference entitled "The Role of the Mekhitarists in the Armenian Spiritual and Cultural Rebirth," dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Mekhitarist Congregation. The conference was held in the large auditorium of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

"Really, the Mekhitarist Congregation exists thanks to its faith. The faith and devotion of its prominent founder, cleric of the Armenian Apostolic Church -- Mekhitar of Sebastia, turned to a creative life of 300 years on the island of Saint Lazzaro, crowning the horizon of the Armenian culture with a new brilliant constellation," said His Holiness, expressing his appreciation for the activity of the Congregation and stressing the Mekhitarists' contribution in the field of Armenology, its role in the development of Armenian typography and translation of literature.

His Holiness noted with appreciation that the Mekhitarists have highly evaluated the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church. As a token of respect towards Holy Etchmiadzin, in the period of the Congregation's foundation during the 18th century, on the title pages of all books published by the Congregation, the name of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the year accepted in the Armenian Apostolic Church have been mentioned. Giving his blessing to the whole Mekhitarist Congregation, His Holiness noticed that today, as well as 300 years ago, the Mekhitarist Fathers come forward as one united Abbacy.

Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia, had sent a message to the conference. Fadey Sarkissian, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, and Fr. Elia Kilaghbian, the General Abbot of the Mekhitarist Congregation, delivered opening speeches.